Passiflora foetida

Common passion flower

Passiflora foetida, commonly known as stinking passionflower, is a creeping perennial vine native to tropical regions. Characterized by its distinctive, hairy bracts and vibrant flowers, this plant is widely utilized in traditional medicine. Its various parts are studied for their sedative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in herbal pharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Passiflora foetida
  • Family: Passifloraceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Passifloraceae and falls 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, known scientifically as Passiflora foetida, is referred to by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Mandarin Chinese, it is called 毛西番莲 (zh-hans), 毛西番蓮 (zh-hant), or 毛西番蓮 (zh-hk), while in the Nan language, it is known as Mo͘-se-hoan-liân, and in Nahuatl, it is called Cacapatzin.
Language Common Name Source
nan Mo͘-se-hoan-liân Wikidata
zh-hans 毛西番莲 Wikidata
zh-hant 毛西番蓮 Wikidata
zh-hk 毛西番蓮 Wikidata
nah Cacapatzin Wikidata
he שעונית מבאישה Wikidata
th กะทกรก Wikidata
ms Letup-letup Wikidata
id Rambusa Wikidata
ml അമ്മൂമ്മപ്പഴം Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Passiflora foetida, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in West Tropical Africa. Its presence has been documented in the nation of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. It is also found within the borders of Burkina, contributing to the region's botanical diversity. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's established footprint throughout this part of the African continent.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as Passiflora foetida, possesses distinct morphological features that contribute to its medicinal profile. The stem is characterized by its climbing or sprawling growth habit, often featuring a hairy or glandular texture that can assist in navigating surrounding vegetation. Complementing the structure of the stem are its leaves, which are typically deeply lobed and arranged in an alternate pattern along the vine. These leaves, along with other parts of the plant, contain the bioactive compounds utilized in various traditional herbal remedies.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Passiflora foetida has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, sterols.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sterols 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Passiflora foetida has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Passiflora foetida has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Neurasthenia, asthma, neurological disorders, xanthine oxidase.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Neurasthenia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurological disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆
xanthine oxidase 1 ★☆☆☆☆