Passionflower
Passiflora foetida

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

A vine with tendrils. It creeps over the ground. The vine can be 2-10 m long. It has a strong smell. The stems are yellowish and have soft erect hairs. The leaves are 3 lobed and with fine hairs. They are pale green. The leaves are 3-10 cm long and 3-8 cm wide. The base of the leaf is often heart shaped. The flowers occur singly on flower stalks. The flowers are flattish with several rings of structures. They are 5 cm wide. They are white with a purple centre. The fruit is small (2-3 cm across) yellow and with a soft skin. The fruit is enclosed in a green net which dries brown then falls off. The fruit is edible. Seeds are flat.

There are about 400 Passiflora species. It is rich in Vitamin A.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is common in the lowlands and occurs up to 1000 m altitude in the tropics. It is drought resistant and can grow on poor soils. In prefers sunny situations. It does best in humid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Andes, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Curacao, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Fiji, FSM, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Myanmar, New Caledonia, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Torres Strait, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are also eaten. The young stalks and leaves are boiled and eaten in soup in times of food shortage. They are also used to make a drink. CAUTION The unripe fruit and leaves are claimed to be poisonous. They contain cyanide so can be poisonous raw.

A common plant in tropical lowland areas. The fruit is widely eaten especially by children. It is commonly used in West Africa. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It grows wild in the lowlands. Seeds germinate rapidly.

Fruit occur throughout most of the year.

Its other names

Local names

Akar mentimun, Akolebodjou, Badeilla sabnera, Bombillo, Bongambosy, Bon komola, Bo'tse kinto, Bulppul, Canapu, Chadayan, Cheplukan blungsun, Chinga tape, Chum bao, Cincollaga, Cocorilla, Dhaagandu kekuri, Du coc, Enradadera de monte, Ganga, Granadilla Colorada, Jhumka lata, Katok rok, Ka-thok-rok, Kacheprek, Kasipora, Kasireli, Kemot, Koth bel, Kukkiballi, Kwalo kakali, Lamurel, Latuik-latuik, Lota bel, Love-in-a-mist, Manku shikshi muyu, Markisa, Maveve, Mewa, Mupparisavalli, Nhabel, Nhan long, Pachean, Pasio fao, Patukmai munchi, Permot, Phak moi, Pokok lang bulu, Poochapalam, Poochapazham, Poonakkali, Popodala, Pottli, Pwompwompw, Qolomosu, Rajutan, Rambusa, Randa bolong, Saou maou prey, Saw maw, Shoshori, Shoshoro, Sigambus, Siruppunaikkalli, Sisi, Stinking passionflower, Suiti ropu, Sukar-gale, Sweet rope, Tam nin farang, Tao sing to, Taw-suka, Tellajumiki, Thevu-um, Timun dendang, Timun hutan, Timun padang, Udahalu, Verdolaga, Warap, Wild water lemon, Wusu baarup, Ya rok chang

Synonyms

Passiflora gossipiifolia Ham.; Passiflora hirsuta Lodd.; Passiflora hispida DC.; Passiflora pyadena Vell.;