Passiflora alata

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Passiflora alata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Passifloraceae Genus: Passiflora Species: P. alata
Binomial name
Passiflora alata Curtis

Passiflora alata ^[1], the winged-stem passion flower, is a vine which bears an edible type of passion fruit. It is native to the Amazon region of Brazil. The native peoples living in areas where the plant thrives refer to it as "ouvaca," meaning "red star" due to the appearance of its flower. The fruit it bears is also highly prized by locals and is said to be delectable.

The leaves are oval or oblong, 10-15 cm long and 1-10 wide. The 7-10 cm (2.8-3.9 in.) wide flower is fragrant. It usually blooms around late summer or early fall, needing full sun exposure. P. alata attracts bees, butterflies and birds, and is suitable for growing indoors.

The fruit is an egg shape, yellow to bright orange, 8-15 cm (3.1-5.9 in) long and 5-10 cm (2-3.9 in) in diameter. It weighs from about 90 up to 300 g. This fruit is cultivated in some parts of Brazil and is a highly prized fruit there, because of the few blossoms borne on the plant.

[edit] Notes