PASSIONFRUIT (Passiflora spp)

Family: PASSIFLORACEAE

There are more than 40 edible species of passionfruit which are mostly tropical to subtropical, woody, fruiting vines that climb by means of tendrils. They will usually climb trellis or trees. Often they can inhibit the growth of the supporting tree by reducing the sunlight available to that tree, A way of overcoming this problem where it exists, is to provide a clump of trees so that the vine can spread out. The fruit is said to have been named by the Spanish who thought that the beautiful flowers reminded them of the passion of Christ. The fruit falls to the ground when it is ripe.

All of the passionfruit can be grown from seed although some can be very difficult at times.

Fresh seed seems to have better chances. We have found that passing the seed through the digestive system of an animal first (duck or human both work) gives good results. Hydrochloric acid treatment has also given some results. Some grafted cultivars can be purchased but this is generally not necessary and often the rootstock can become a nuisance (see P. caerulea ). Most of the passionfruit can also be propagated from cuttings.

Food Value of Edible Portion of Various Passionfruit per l00g (based on Morton)