Passiflora cuneata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Passiflora furcata
• Passiflora bifurca
• Decaloba cuneata
• Passiflora luciensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Malpighiales and is a member of the family Passifloraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Passiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several tropical regions. In the Caribbean, its presence can be identified within the Windward Islands. Moving toward the mainland, it is also found throughout Northern South America, specifically in Venezuela. Additionally, its range extends into Western South America, where it grows in Colombia. These locations highlight the diverse environments where the species can be discovered.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Passiflora cuneata is characterized by its adaptation to specific montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal belt. This species is primarily found in mid-to-high elevation habitats, maintaining a specialized ecological niche that ranges from a minimum of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, the plant's distribution is often tied to the availability of climbing structures and specific light regimes common to these subtropical or temperate montane zones. The environmental conditions within this 1000 to 2000 m AMSL window play a critical role in regulating its growth patterns, reproductive cycles, and its interactions with local pollinators and surrounding vegetation.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Passiflora cunearata is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. As a woody plant, it develops a robust structural framework capable of traversing complex forest environments. It is an independent organism, neither functioning as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains its own nutritional processes while remaining strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning. This combination of woody, climbing, and independent traits defines its physical presence and method of spatial occupation within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Passiflora cuneata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Deidaclin, Epivolkenin, Passibiflorin, Taraktophyllin, Tetraphyllin A.

Deidaclin

1. Phytochemistry

Epivolkenin

1. Phytochemistry

Passibiflorin

1. Phytochemistry

Taraktophyllin

1. Phytochemistry

Tetraphyllin A

1. Phytochemistry

Tetraphyllin B

1. Phytochemistry

Volkenin

1. Phytochemistry