Corkystem Passionflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Corkystem Passionflower
• cork passionflower
• cork passionvine
• devil's-pumpkin
• indigo-berry
• small passionflower
• small passionfruit
• Devil's Pumpkin
• Indigo Berry
• corky passionfruit
• triangular passionflower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Meioperis suberosa
• Granadilla suberosa
• Monactineirma suberosa
• Cieca suberosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Passifloraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is found within the genus Passiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution that spans multiple continents and diverse climates. In the Atlantic, it can be found within the Macaronesia region, specifically on the Canary Islands. Its presence extends across East Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Moving further south, the species is also located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of Southern Africa. Consequently, this medicinal plant occupies a vast ecological range from island habitats to the African mainland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Passiflora suberosa is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a wide altitudinal distribution. This species can be found across a broad elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2500 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are highly varied, allowing it to thrive in several distinct ecosystems, including Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Rupestre, and Restinga. Furthermore, it inhabits various forest types, such as Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ciliar or Galeria. In addition to these natural biomes, the plant also demonstrates its ecological plasticity by colonizing Áreas Antrópicas, showing resilience in human-modified landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Passiflora suberosa are characterized by a complex karyotype that exhibits significant variation in ploidy levels. The species displays multiple chromosome numbers, specifically recorded as 12, 18, 24, and 36. This variation suggests a high degree of chromosomal plasticity and polyploidization within the lineage, where different cytotypes may coexist or arise through genome doubling events. Such genomic diversity is a defining genetic feature of this plant, contributing to its evolutionary adaptability and complex inheritance patterns.

Chromosome number :

12, 18, 24, 36

Life history

The life history of Passiflora suberosa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year or two but instead establishes a long-term presence, often developing extensive climbing structures to navigate its habitat. Its developmental trajectory involves a continuous cycle of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production, which enables the plant to sustain itself and colonize surrounding areas over an extended lifespan. This enduring lifecycle supports its ability to withstand seasonal fluctuations and contribute to the stability of its ecological niche through repeated reproductive efforts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Passiflora suberosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, specifically functioning as an obligatory climbing vine. This scandent plant typically exhibits a terrestrial life habit, operating as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its vertical dimension, the plant displays a significant growth range, with a minimum height of 1 m, a mean height of approximately 5 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Passiflora suberosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant's vegetative structure features lobed leaves that vary significantly in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.8 cm to a maximum of 10.7 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1.4 cm and a maximum of 6 cm. In terms of nutrient cycling, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the availability of nitrogen within the soil substrate to support its metabolic requirements and growth.

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

10.7 cm

Leaf length min:

2.8 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

1.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Passiflora suberosa begins with the emergence of green flowers, which typically measure between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm in width. The flowering period is concentrated in the mid-year months, specifically starting in April and concluding in June. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fleshy, indehiscent fruit categorized as a berry. These berries are characterized by a black coloration and reach a width ranging from 1 cm to 1.2 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a consistent volume of approximately 10 mm³. The dispersal of the species is primarily zoochorous, specifically utilizing an endozoochorous syndrome, where animals consume the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds through their digestive tracts.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flower width min:

1.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Seed volume max:

10 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Passiflora suberosa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Passiflorine, Proanthocyanidins, Saponins.

Anthraquinones

1. PeerJ

Flavonoids

1. PeerJ

Passiflorine

1. Dr. Duke

Proanthocyanidins

1. PeerJ

Saponins

1. PeerJ

Tannins

1. PeerJ

Triterpenes

1. PeerJ

Activities

Passiflora suberosa has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Toxic.

Antibacterial

1. PeerJ

Antimicrobial

1. PeerJ

Antioxidant

1. PeerJ

Toxic

1. PeerJ

Conditions

Passiflora suberosa has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension, skin diseases.

Hypertension

1. PeerJ

Skin diseases

1. PeerJ