Passiflora tenuifila

Killip

Maracuja

Passifloraceae Edible: Fruit 137 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

Description

A climbing herb. It grows for several years. It has tendrils. The young stems are angular and older stems are round with stripes along them. The leaves have 3 lobes and are thin. They are 3-8 cm long on a leaf stalk 2-5 cm long. These have 2-6 glands. The flowers occur singly and are 4-5 cm across. The fruit are pale yellow and 3-4 cm across. The pulp is juicy and sweet.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A juicy sweet-tasting pulp with a garlic flavour. The yellow, subglobose fruits are about 4 - 7cm in diameter.

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.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in small isolated forest clumps in Brazil. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 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

The fruit are not very popular.

Also Known As

Maracuja-alho, Maracuja-de-cobra

References (5)

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.
J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17:430. 1927
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 620
Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 90
Lorenzi, H., Bacher, L., Lacerda, M. & Sartori, S., 2006, Brazilian Fruits & Cultivated Exotics. Sao Paulo, Instituto Plantarum de Estuados da Flora Ltda. p 275