passifloras

Passifloras, commonly known as passionflowers or passionfruits, are a diverse genus of climbing plants in the family Passifloraceae. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and Australia, they number nearly 500 species and occupy a wide range of habitats from forest edges to cultivated landscapes. They are grown for ornamental flowers and, in many species, for edible fruit.

Most passifloras are twining climbers with tendrils. Leaves are often lobed, typically three-lobed, though some species have simple or unlobed leaves. The flowers are distinctive: large, showy, with a conspicuous central arrangement of stamens and petals surrounded by a corona of filaments that can be white, purple, blue or violet. Pollination is highly specialized in some species, with bees, hummingbirds, moths or bats taking on primary roles depending on the region and species.

The fruit, known as passion fruit, is a berry with juicy pulp containing numerous seeds. P. edulis is the best-known cultivated fruit, occurring in purple- and yellow-fruited forms; other species yield edible or inedible fruits. In addition to fruit, many passifloras are valued as ornamental plants for their striking flowers and long flowering periods. They are grown in warm climates and can be cultivated in greenhouses or outdoors in temperate regions with adequate warmth and light.

Cultivation requires a sunny, well-drained site and a sturdy support structure. They prefer regular watering and fertile soil, with pruning to control vigour and shape. Some species can become naturalized or invasive outside their native range. Notable species include P. edulis, P. caerulea (ornamental), P. incarnata (maypop).