Passiflora edulis
Passion fruit
Passiflora edulis, commonly known as passion fruit, is a tropical climbing vine celebrated for its aromatic, nutrient-dense fruit. Renowned for its unique flavor profile, this medicinal plant offers significant health benefits, including sedative properties and antioxidant support, making it a valuable staple in both culinary and therapeutic applications worldwide.
- Scientific name: Passiflora edulis
- Family: Passifloraceae
- Native range: Africa
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Passifloraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Passiflora | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Passiflora edulis, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Dhivehi, it is referred to as ޖުމްހޫރީ މޭވާ, while in Nan language, it is called Se-hoaan-liân. In Chinese, the names vary by script and region: it is known as 西番莲 in Simplified Chinese, 百香果 in Traditional Chinese, and is specifically called 熱情果 in Hong Kong.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | ޖުމްހޫރީ މޭވާ | Wikidata |
| nan | Se-hoan-liân | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 西番莲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 百香果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 熱情果 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 西番莲 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 西番莲 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 西番蓮 | Wikidata |
| jv | Markisa | Wikidata |
| pl | męczennica jadalna | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as passion fruit, utilizes various components for both nutrition and traditional medicine. The leaves are frequently employed in herbal preparations due to their soothing properties, while the fruit is widely consumed for its vitamins and antioxidant content. Furthermore, the above-ground plant material, including the climbing vines and various stems, can be harvested for specific therapeutic applications in different cultural practices.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| above-ground plant material | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Passiflora edulis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Narirutin, isoorientin, isovitexin, orientin, piceatannol.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Narirutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoorientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovitexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| orientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piceatannol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Passiflora edulis has 10 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anxiolytic, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant, Hypnotic, Nootropic.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiolytic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypnotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nootropic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Passiflora edulis has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergy, blood pressure, heart rate, heat stress, insulin sensitivity.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| allergy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart rate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heat stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin sensitivity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| prostate cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |