Passiflora quadrangularis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence can be identified in Guinea-Bissau. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is found in Cameroon and Gabon. Additionally, it inhabits the Gulf of Guinea Islands within the West-Central Tropical region. Finally, its range reaches East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Passiflora quadrangularis is characterized by its preference for moist, high-humidity environments, specifically within the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), or tropical rainforest habitats. This species thrives across a diverse altitudinal gradient, occupying a broad elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1200 m AMSL. This wide distribution allows it to adapt to various microclimates within the humid forest canopy and understory, provided the moisture levels and structural complexity of the rainforest are maintained.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Genetics

The genetics of Passiflora quadrangularis are characterized by a specific chromosomal arrangement that defines its cytogenetic profile. This medicinal plant possesses a chromosome number of 18, providing the fundamental structural basis for its genetic inheritance and cellular division processes. Furthermore, it functions at a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that its somatic cells contain two complete sets of chromosomes. This stable genomic configuration contributes to the genetic consistency observed within the species, supporting the complex physiological and biochemical traits necessary for its medicinal properties.

Chromosome number :

18

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Passiflora quadrangularis is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage continuously rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Passiflora quadrangularis is characterized by its robust growth habit, functioning as a large, obligatory climbing vine that can reach a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial organism, it is non-aquatic and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. Its growth form is classified as a forb, displaying a variable degree of woodiness in its structural development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Passiflora quadrangularis are defined by its specific foliar dimensions and metabolic profile. The leaves of this species exhibit a distinct size range, with a minimum length of 7.8 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 13 cm, while the width varies from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 10.2 cm. In terms of water storage strategies, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a physiological reliance on standard hydraulic conductance rather than specialized parenchymatous water-storage tissues. Furthermore, its nitrogen metabolism is characterized by a lack of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, as the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it must acquire necessary nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil substrate through its root system.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

7.8 cm

Leaf width max:

10.2 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Passiflora quadrangularis is characterized by a flowering process that produces distinct pink flowers, which are subject to a reproductive strategy where self-fertilization is notably absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a large fruit classified as a berry. These fruits are substantial in size, typically ranging from 20 to 30 cm in length and 10 to 20 cm in width. The fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its seeds. Regarding the movement of its seeds, the species exhibits an anthropochorous dispersal syndrome, where dispersal is facilitated by human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Fruit length max:

30 cm

Fruit length min:

20 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

20 cm

Fruit width min:

10 cm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Passiflora quadrangularis has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, HCN, IRON.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

HCN

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Passiflorine

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Passiflora quadrangularis has 214 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Passiflora quadrangularis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension.

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine