Passiflora
Bitter-gourd-shaped passion fruit
Passiflora, commonly known as passionflower, is a versatile climbing vine celebrated for its exquisite, intricate blooms. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this medicinal plant is widely utilized in herbal medicine to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. Its calming properties make it a staple in natural wellness remedies.
- Scientific name: Passiflora
- Family: Passifloraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Passifloraceae and is identified by 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, belonging to the genus Passiflora, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 西番莲属 (zh-hans), 西番莲属 (zh-cn), and 西番莲属 (zh-sg), while in Traditional Chinese, it is identified as 西番蓮屬 (zh-hant) and 西番蓮屬 (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 西番莲属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 西番蓮屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 西番蓮屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 西番莲属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 西番莲属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 西番蓮屬 | Wikidata |
| pl | Męczennica | Wikidata |
| qu | Kururunku | Wikidata |
| fr | passiflore | Wikidata |
| he | שעונית | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found within the borders of Germany. The distribution extends into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the landscapes of Spain. Finally, its range reaches into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the country of Albania.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as passionflower, offers various components that are utilized for their unique properties. The leaves, often referred to as Passiflora leaf, are frequently used in herbal preparations to promote relaxation and sleep. Additionally, the fruit provides distinct edible and medicinal elements, such as the flavorful, pulpy aril that surrounds the seeds and the protective outer rinds that compose the fruit's skin.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rinds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aril | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Passiflora leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Passiflora has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include isoorientin, isovitexin, Isoorientin, Luteolin, Orientin.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| isoorientin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovitexin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isoorientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Luteolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Orientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Schaftoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| harmine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| orientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schaftoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Passiflora has 11 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antiallergic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiallergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Passiflora has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include COVID-19, actinomycete, bacteria, depression, fever.
- Total uses
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| actinomycete | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fungi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hysteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| presbyopia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |