Passiflora vitifolia

Passiflora vitifolia

Passiflora vitifolia is a plant of the species-rich genus of passion vines ( Passiflora ), the largest genus within the Passion flower plants ( Passifloraceae ).

Dissemination

The home of Passiflora vitifolia ranges from Nicaragua to Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru. There she came in altitude 200-1100 meters above sea front.

Description

Passiflora vitifolia is a perennial climber. The dark green leaves are three-lobed, 5-18 cm long and somewhat reminiscent of vine leaves (hence the species name: lat = vitis wine, folium = leaf ). Shoots, tendrils and leaf undersides are hairy brown.

The showy bright red flowers reach a diameter of up to 16 cm. The red perianth ( sepals and petals ) surrounding an annularly arranged aureole. The outer row of rays ring is red, the two inner rows are white. In the flower center reproductive organs ( five stamens and three stigmas ) to the perianth far superior column summarized ( Androgynophor ).

Pollination of flowers is done in nature by hummingbirds of the genus Phaetornis. The oval, up to 6 cm long fruit is edible. Therefore Passiflora vitifolia is also cultivated in the West Indies.