Passiflora amethystina

Description

A climbing herb. It keeps growing for a few years. It has tendrils. The stem is cylinder shaped and has grooves. The leaves have 3 lobes. They are 4-12 cm long. The leaf stalk has a canal on top. The stalk is 2-6 cm long. It has 3-8 glands. The flowers occur singly and are 6-10 cm across. The fruit are oval with pointy ends. They are green and 4-5 cm across and 9-10 cm long. They have a juicy sweet pulp.

Edible Uses

Passiflora incarnata (maypop) leaves and roots have a long history of use as a traditional medicine by Native Americans in North America and were adapted by European colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of maypop are used to make a tea that is used as a sedative. Passionflower as dried powder or an extract is used as a dietary supplement. There is insufficient clinical evidence for using passionflower to treat any medical condition. Passionflower is classified as generally recognized as safe for use as a food ingredient in the U.S.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves and roots of some, if not all, members of this genus contain a substance called 'passiflorina' which has similaritiesr to morphine and is an effective tranquilizer. We have no specific information for this species but many species are used in herbal infusions to calm the nerves and help bring about a restful sleep. The leaves of many species are also considered to be anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, cutaneous inflammations, and erysipelas.

Known Hazards

Passion flower is not recommended during pregnancy because it may induce contractions. Consuming passion flower products may cause drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, abnormal heart rhythms, asthma, or rhinitis.

Distribution

A subtropical plant. It grows naturally on the edges of forests in Brazil. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil*, Paraguay, South America,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe along with the pulp which will help break down the seed coat and speed up germination. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours in warm water and germination time can be reduced if the seed is then mixed with the juice of a fresh passion fruit (of any species). Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24°c. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough. Cuttings of young shoots, taken at the nodes. The cuttings root best in a neutral to slightly acid compost, but 100% sharp sand also produces good results. Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months. Layering. Very easy. Air layering.

Other Information

They are not very popular.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Maracuja-de-cobra, Maracuja-verde

References (8)

• Alimenticias - FloraSBS
• Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2018, Lista preliminar das plantas alimenticias nativas de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Iheringia, Serie Botanica, Porto Alegre, 73 (supl.):101-116
• Brack, P., et al, 2020, Frutas nativas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: riqueza e potencial alimentício. Native fruits of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: richness and potential as food. Rodriguésia 71: e03102018.
• Del. fl. faun. bras. 39, t. 20. 1820
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 611

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