passion fruit

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Passion Fruit
• common passionfruit
• purple granadilla
• yellow passion fruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Granadilla edulis
• Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa
• Passiflora edulis var. pomifera
• Passiflora edulis var. rubricaulis
• Passiflora verrucifera
• Passiflora edulis var. verrucifera
• Passiflora diaden
• Passiflora fragrans
• Passiflora edulis f. albida
• Passiflora rubricaulis
• Passiflora perfecta
• Passiflora pallidiflora
• Passiflora cuneifolia
• Passiflora iodocarpa
• Passiflora middletoniana
• Passiflora picroderma
• Passiflora vernicosa
• Passiflora pomifera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Passiflora edulis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Passifloraceae. It is ultimately categorized under the genus Passiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and oceanic regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found specifically within the borders of Morocco. Its presence extends to the Macaronesian islands, including both the Azores and the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the species is distributed across West Tropical Africa, appearing in countries such as Benin. Finally, its range also includes the West African nation of Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Passiflora edulis is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a wide altitudinal distribution. The species thrives across a significant elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3000 m AMSL. This vertical range allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches and climatic zones. Its preferred habitats are highly varied, encompassing anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), the Cerrado (latu sensu), and several distinct forest types, including Atlantic Forest (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest (Floresta Estacional Semi-decididual), Ombrophilous Forest (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). Additionally, it is found in coastal Restinga ecosystems, demonstrating a robust ability to integrate into both inland forest systems and coastal scrublands.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Passiflora edulis are characterized by a specific chromosomal constitution that plays a fundamental role in its reproductive biology and evolutionary development. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 18, a genomic structure that influences its patterns of inheritance, phenotypic variation, and potential for hybridization within the Passiflora genus. This chromosomal arrangement provides the genetic framework for the complex expression of traits such as fruit morphology, pulp acidity, and aromatic profiles. Understanding this numerical chromosomal value is essential for studying the plant's genome architecture, which governs the segregation of alleles during meiosis and dictates the genetic diversity observed across different cultivars.

Chromosome number :

18

Life history

The life history of Passiflora edulis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Morphologically, it is classified under the life form of chamaephyte, a designation that reflects its structural growth patterns within its ecological niche. Its phenology includes a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its natural developmental cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Passiflora edulis is characterized by its growth as a woody, independent herb and forb that functions as an obligatory climbing vine. This scandent plant typically exhibits a terrestrial lifestyle, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and maintains an independent existence without parasitic behavior. Its physical structure allows it to reach significant vertical dimensions, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 15 m, though the mean height is recorded at approximately 12 m. The shoot orientation is predominantly scandent, supporting a robust growth habit that can extend to a maximum shoot length of 1000 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Shoot length max:

1000 cm

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Passiflora edulis is characterized by a distinct vegetative morphology and specific nutritional metabolic processes. The plant features an alternate leaf arrangement, supporting a canopy of lobed leaves that vary significantly in size; leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, while leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 5 cm and a maximum of 20 cm, with a mean width observed around 4 cm. In terms of water storage and tissue composition, the species does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard non-succulent cellular structures. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient cycling and soil interaction, Passiflora edulis is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width mean:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Passiflora edulis is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically involving insects such as bees, which facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, it relies on these biotic agents for successful sexual reproduction, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in July, featuring distinctive violet flowers that range in width from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops an indehiscent, fleshy fruit classified as a berry. These fruits are characterized by a brown coloration and reach average dimensions of 5.6 cm in length and 5.2 cm in width. The seeds contained within the fruit are relatively uniform, with a consistent mean length of 5 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.01546 g (ranging from 0.01492 g to 0.016 g). The seed volume varies, with a mean of 156.67 mm³, a minimum of 120 mm³, and a maximum of 220 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically endozoochory, where the seeds are dispersed after being consumed by animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flower width max:

8 cm

Flower width min:

6 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

5.6 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

5.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.016 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01546 g

Seed mass min:

0.01492 g

Seed volume max:

220 mm³

Seed volume mean:

156.666666666667 mm³

Seed volume min:

120 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Passiflora edulis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. SpringerPlus

Leaf

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Chemicals

Passiflora edulis has 102 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isovitexin, Flavonoids, Orientin, Vitexin, Isoorientin.

Isovitexin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Pharmacological research communications
4. Journal of chromatography
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3. Pharmacological research communications
4. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Orientin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Frontiers in veterinary science

Vitexin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Frontiers in veterinary science

Isoorientin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
3. Frontiers in veterinary science

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

Hyperoside

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Isoschaftoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of chromatography

Schaftoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of chromatography

apigenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in veterinary science

Activities

Passiflora edulis has 572 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anxiolytic, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant, Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anxiolytic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Inflammopharmacology
3. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Planta medica

Anticonvulsant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. SpringerPlus

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Inflammopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. SpringerPlus

Hypnotic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Planta medica

Hypotensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Inflammopharmacology

Nootropic

1. Planta medica
2. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia

Sedative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Conditions

Passiflora edulis has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include allergy, blood pressure, heart rate, heat stress, insulin sensitivity.

Allergy

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Blood pressure

1. Nutrients

Heart rate

1. Nutrients

Heat stress

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Insulin sensitivity

1. Nutrients

Neurodegenerative disease

1. Fitoterapia

Prostate cancer

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Preparations

Passiflora edulis has 17 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, extracts, Alcoholic extracts from leaves, PEF, PI extracts.

Extract

1. Przeglad lekarski
2. Rivista di neurologia
3. Hindustan antibiotics bulletin

Extracts

1. Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
2. Journal of family medicine and primary care
3. Talanta

Alcoholic extracts from leaves

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Pef

1. SpringerPlus

Pi extracts

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Pie

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Passiflora incarnata extracts

1. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia

Dry extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ethanolic extract of passiflora incarnata

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extracts

1. International journal of molecular sciences