Passiflora picturata

Ker Gawl.

Passifloraceae Edible: Fruit 30 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Passiflora picturata is a species of passion flower in the family Passifloraceae.

Description

A climbing herb. It has tendrils. The stem is thin and smooth. The leaves have 3 lobes and are thin. The leaves are shiny above and purple underneath. The leaves are 4-7 cm long. The leaf stalk is thin and 3 cm long with 2-6 glands. The flowers occur singly and are 10 cm across. They have long flower stalks. The fruit are round or oval and green. They are 3-4 cm wide and 4-5 cm long. The pulp is sweet and juicy.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A juicy pulp with a sweet flavour. The skin remains dark green, even when the fruit is fully ripe. The fruit is about 5cm long and 4cm wide. The globose fruit is around 35mm in diameter.

Traditional Uses

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.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in the Amazon in Brazil.

Where It Grows

Brazil*, Colombia, Guianas, South America, Suriname, Venezuela,

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

The fruit are popular.

Synonyms

Passiflora guianensis G. Mey. ex Miq.

References (3)

Kew Plants of the World Online
Lorenzi, H., Bacher, L., Lacerda, M. & Sartori, S., 2006, Brazilian Fruits & Cultivated Exotics. Sao Paulo, Instituto Plantarum de Estuados da Flora Ltda. p 271
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.