Yellow passionfruit
Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa
Family: Passifloraceae
What it is like
A vigorous climbing vine. This can be 7 m long. It has long tendrils which enable it to attach to supports. The tendrils are reddish-purple. The leaves are larger than purple passionfruit. The fruit are slightly larger than purple passionfruit and with a yellow skin. They can be 6-12 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The seeds are brown. The flowers open in the afternoon.
There are about 400 Passiflora species. It can become self sown and a problem in some Pacific Islands regions. Fruit are high in folates 271μg/100.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the tropical lowlands. It benefits from sun except under very hot conditions (>38°C). Plants need good drainage and adequate water. They are very susceptible to frosts. They need temperatures above 12°C. It is like purple passionfruit but will grow in warmer locations. They commonly grow between sea level and 800 m in the tropics.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Amazon, Australia, Brazil, Central Africa, Central America, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Mexico, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela
How it is used for food
The pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh. The seeds are edible. The fruit are used to flavour food and drinks.
It is widely cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are commonly grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings. The vine needs to be pruned regularly. This reduces less vigorous growth and promotes flowering. Bottom heating the seeds at 20-26°C can result in germination at 1-2 weeks, at lower temperatures seeds can take up to 10 weeks to germinate.
Flowering can continue year round under suitable conditions. Individual flowers bloom for 12-24 hours. Flowers need to be hand pollinated or pollinated by bees. They will not self pollinate. Fruit ripen from flowering in 80 days. Plants continue their productive life for 4-6 years. Fruit are harvested when they fall. Fruit are considered fully ripe and ready for eating when the skin starts to wrinkle.
Its other names
Local names
Goki dimputu, Golden passion fruit, Guavadilla, Karora chi, Lilikoi, Maracuya amarillo, Maracuja peroba, Saptheilempa