Red Banana passionflower
Passiflora antioquiensis

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

A vine. Young leaves are narrow and older leaves have 3 leaflets and are more broad. The red flowers hang on 40 cm long stems. The flowers can be 8-10 cm across. The fruit are banana shaped. They can be 10 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are yellow or red when ripe. The flesh is orange.

There are about 400 Passiflora species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in highland regions. It can grow in reasonable soil. It is fairly sensitive to cold temperatures. It needs good drainage and can grow in sun or light shade. It grows wild above 2,000 m in Papua New Guinea. In the Andes it grows between 800-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Asia, Australia, Colombia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They are also used for drinks.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is grown from seeds. It can cover an area of 2 m by 3 m on a trellis. Two or more plants are necessary for good fruit production.

Plants bear in 2 years. Plants last for 5 years.

Its other names

Local names

Curuba antioqueana, Gulupa fruta

Synonyms

Tasconia van-volzemii Hook.; Passiflora van-volzemii (Lem.) Triana & Planch.;