Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Passifloraceae
Botanical Name
Passiflora
Plant Common Name
Passionflower
General Description
Exotic blooms grace the vines of passion flowers. The genus Passiflora comprises more than 500 species of mostly climbers and occasionally shrubs and trees. They are generally evergreen perennials, but a few are fast-growing annuals. They are native to the sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world, excluding Europe and Antarctica. Africa is home to many plants from the family Passifloraceae but none in this genus.
This is an extremely variable group of plants. Generally the leaves are rounded or oval, may be lobed and are arranged alternately on the stem. The vines can become very large and climb by tendrils produced in the leaf axils (joint between the leaves and stems).
The glorious flowers are produced singly or a few in loose groups. The complex blooms have prominent pronged reproductive structures surrounded by a fringe of showy filaments and many petals. They may be flattened, cupped or curved back. They are pollinated by a number of animals including bats, hummingbirds, wasps and bees. Egg-shaped fruits follow the flowers. These are often edible, but not all are. Generally, they are green to yellow-green and have juicy fruit and fleshy seeds on the inside.
There are many passion flower species, cultivars and hybrids to include the main fruit-producing species Passiflora edulis, which is an evergreen, perennial vine native to southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Its tart fruits are commercially grown for the fresh market, juice, jams, and flavoring. Maypop (Passiflora incarnate) is a blue-flowered perennial vine native to the southeastern United States, and red passion flower (Passiflora coccinea) is a perennial vine native to northwestern South America that produces large, fragrant blooms.
Culture and hardiness varies by species though most are cold sensitive. They can be grown in a sunny room, greenhouse or container, which can moved indoors over winter, where not hardy. Generally, they prefer to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Some are drought tolerant, but most look best with irrigation in dry times.
A few passion flowers are aggressive vines that will quickly cover structures or other plants, particularly in disturbed areas. Such species can be weedy to the point of invasiveness, while some others are threatened or endangered. Grow passion vines on trellises or other supports for the lovely flowers and abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds they attract.
Passion flowers are nectar sources and the leaves larval food for several butterfly species, but the caterpillars can cause the leaves to look tattered and chewed.
