Passiflora platyloba

Killip

Montesa granadilla, Acid granadilla

Passifloraceae Edible: Fruit 71 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A small climbing herb. It scrambles over other plants and attaches by tendrils. The fruit are oval and 30-35 mm long.

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Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten. An acid, grape-like flavour, they are used for making ices and refreshing drinks.The ellipsoid fruit is 30 - 35mm long.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are acid. They are used to make ices and drinks.

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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 in both moist and dry rocky thickets. It grows between 150-1,400 m above sea level. It needs well-drained soils.

Where It Grows

Andes, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, South America,

Cultivation

Passiflora species generally grow best in a sheltered, sunny position or in dappled shade. Most species are found in the wild in moist but well-drained soils, generally of a lighter texture, and will often flower and fruit more heavily if the soil fertility is low. They often develop deep roots and can be moderately tolerant of dry spells. Most Passiflora species prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil, growing best where the pH is around 6. 5 - 7.5.

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.

Notes

There are about 400 Passiflora species.

References (8)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 167
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 618
Lopez-Diago, D. & Garcia, N., 2021, Wild edible fruits of Colombia. Biota ColomBiana 22 (2) p 47
Martin, F.W., C.W. Campbell and R.M. Ruberté, 1987, Perennial edible fruits of the tropics - An inventory. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 642. Washington, D.C., USA
J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 12:260. 1922

Show all 8 references

Kunkel,
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
Ulmer, T., & MacDougal, J.M., 2004, Passiflora Passionflowers of the World. Timber Press. p 69