Passiflora aurantia
Passiflora aurantia
Passiflora aurantia is one of the few plant species of the family passion flower plants ( Passifloraceae ), which is native to Australia. The Style epithet aurantia means " orange" and stands for the color of the flowers.
Dissemination
The home of Passiflora aurantia is the eastern Australia, Fiji, Malaysia, New Guinea and some other Pacific islands such as Norfolk Iceland, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. There she thrives on poor, sandy- loamy soils over limestone or at the edge of rainforests.
Description
Passiflora aurantia is a climber. The leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is long and 5 cm. The three-lobed leaf blade is up to 10 cm long and up to 13 cm wide ( but usually smaller).
The flower diameter is 5 to 8 ( often up to 11) cm. Sepals have 2 to 5 cm, the petals 1.5 to 2.5 cm long. The halo (corona ) is mostly single row, sometimes two rows, the outer row, the inner and shorter violet is colored red. The most outstanding of the flowering Androgynophor reached 2.5 to 4 cm in length. In contrast to most other passion flowers, the flowers of Passiflora aurantia not open completely, so that the halo is clearly visible only from above. Also in contrast to virtually all other family representatives, the flowers last not just one, but three to four days. During this time they change color from light yellow orange to orange-red.
The spherical to ellipsoidal fruits are about 5 cm in size and change color during ripening of green by purple. The pulp is considered to be edible, but unpalatable.
Culture Notes
Passiflora aurantia can be kept as a house plant in sun to partial shade, where nutrient-poor substrate is preferable. With too high a nitrogen content of the soil foliage is mainly formed and it seem hardly flowers. A propagation of the plants is possible by seed or cuttings.
System
Partial two varieties are distinguished: Passiflora aurantia Passiflora aurantia var aurantia and var pubescens, the latter hairy stems, leaves and tendrils has.