Common passionfruit (Passiflora edulis, Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1989 (1818))

Family: Passifloraceae

Author: Sims

Bibliography: Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1989 (1818)

Year: 1818

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Passiflora

Vegetable: False

Observations: Brazil to NE. Argentina

Description

The Common Passionfruit, scientifically known as Passiflora edulis, is a renowned and cherished species within the family Passifloraceae. Originating from vast regions spanning from Brazil to northeastern Argentina, this captivating plant is celebrated for both its ornamental qualities and its delicious, aromatic fruit.

Introduced to the botanical community in a detailed description by Sims in the publication “Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1989” in the year 1818, the Common Passionfruit has since garnered global recognition. Its unique presence is marked by its intricate, climbing vines, which are adorned with strikingly intricate and colorful flowers. These blooms not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens but also attract a variety of pollinators, contributing to the plant’s ecological significance.

The fruit of the Common Passionfruit is its most prized feature. Often round or oval in shape, the fruit’s exterior boasts a tough rind that houses a juicy, seed-filled interior. The pulp is highly aromatic and possesses a sweet-tart flavor that is prized in culinary uses worldwide, ranging from juices and desserts to savory dishes.

Culturally, the Common Passionfruit holds a place of prominence in the landscapes where it grows natively. Its introduction to other parts of the world has not only expanded its agricultural importance but also its status as a beloved fruit among diverse populations. Gardens and orchards featuring Passiflora edulis are celebrated for their exotic touch and bountiful yields.

Through photosynthesis, the plant engages in a symbiotic relationship with its environment, supporting local ecosystems by contributing to carbon sequestration and offering habitat and food for pollinators. The robust nature of the Common Passionfruit makes it relatively easy to cultivate, given the right conditions, such as well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and a structure for its vines to climb.

In summary, the Common Passionfruit is much more than just a plant; it is a symbol of nature’s artistry and a source of culinary delight. Its enduring appeal from its native regions of Brazil to northeastern Argentina, and its spread across the globe, speaks to its adaptability, resilience, and the universal appreciation for its contributions to both biodiversity and human enjoyment.

Common Names

Dan: gul passionsblomst
Deu: passionsfrucht
Eng: purple granadilla, common passionfruit, passionflower, water lemon, passion fruit
Spa: ceibey, curuba, flor de las cinco lagas, parchita
Ita: granadiglia
Afr: grenadella
Fra: grenadille
Jpn: kudamonotokeiso
Tha: ling mangkon
Ind: markisah
Swe: passionsfrukt
Nob: pasjonsfrukt
Nno: pasjonsfrukt
En: Common passionfruit, Purple granadilla, Maracujá, Granadilla, Passion fruit, Flôr de passion, Passionflower, Water lemon, Purple Passionfruit, Purple Water-lemon, Deodar, Purple passion fruit, Sweet cup, Passionfruit
Af: Grenadella
Sq: Frut pasioni
Ar: ماراكويا
Eu: Marakuia
Bn: মারাকুজা
Br: Frouezhenn ar basion
Bg: Маракуя
My: ပင်မှည့်
Ca: Maracujà
Zh: 西番莲, 西番蓮
Hr: Marakuja
Cs: Marakuja
Da: Passionsfrugt, Gul passionsblomst
Dv: ޖުމްހޫރީ މޭވާ
Eo: Pasifrukto
Et: Granadill
Fi: Punapassio
Fr: Fruit de la Passion, Maracudja, Grenadille, Gouzou, Passiflore comestible, Pomme-liane violette
Gl: Maracuiá
Ka: Მარაკუია
De: Passionsfrucht, Granadilla, Susze calabasch
El: Φρούτο του πάθους
He: שעונית נאכלת
Hi: जुनून फल
Hu: Maracuja
Is: Ástaraldin
Id: Markisa, Markisah
It: Granadiglia, Granatiglia
Ja: Kudamonotokeiso
Jv: Markisa
Rw: Marakuja
Kv: Маракуйя
Ko: 패션프루트
Lv: Ēdamā pasiflora
Ln: Marakudja
Lt: Kvapioji pasiflora
Lb: Passiounsfruucht
Mk: Маракуја
Ms: Pokok Markisa
Ml: പാഷൻ ഫ്രൂട്ട്
Ne: लहरे आँप
No: Pasjonsfrukt
Nb: Pasjonsfrukt
Nn: Pasjonsfrukt
Pa: ਪੈਸ਼ਨ ਫਲ
Fa: میوه گل‌ساعتی
Pl: Męczennica jadalna
Pt: Maracuja, Maracujá, Maracujá comúm, Maracujá de comer, Maracujá de doce, Maracujá de ponche, Maracujá mirim, Maracujá pequeno, Maracujá peroba, Maracujá redondo
Pt-br: Maracujá, Maracujá-comum, Maracujá-de-comer, Maracujá-de-ponche, Maracujá-do-mato, Maracujá-doce, Maracujá-mirim, Maracujá-peroba, Maracujá-preto, Maracujá-redondo
Ro: Fructul pasiunii
Ru: Маракуйя
Sr: Маракуја
Sk: Mučenka jedlá
Es: Parcha, Marakuja, Ceibey, Curuba, Flor de las cinco lagas, Parchita, Granadilla morada, Curuba redonda, Granadilla china, Maracuya, Maracuyá, Maracuyá púrpura, Parcha de monte, Parcha morada
Su: Markisa
Sw: Pesheni
Sv: Passionsfrukt
Tl: Simbuyo ng damdamin
Zh-tw: 西番蓮
Ta: தாட்பூட்பழம்
Te: కౌరవ పాండవ పువ్వు
Th: เสาวรส, Ling mangkon
To: Vaine
Zh-hant: 百香果
Uk: Маракуя
Vi: Chanh leo

Synonyms

• Passiflora pallidiflora (Bertol.)
• Passiflora cuneifolia (Cav.)
• Passiflora fragrans (Regel ex Mast.)
• Passiflora verrucifera (Lindl.)
• Passiflora iodocarpa (Barb.Rodr.)
• Passiflora incarnata (Ker Gawl.)
• Passiflora middletoniana (Paxton)
• Passiflora edulis var. pomifera ((M.Roem.) Mast.)
• Passiflora perfecta (J.R.Duncan & V.C.Davies)
• Passiflora edulis var. rubricaulis ((J.Jacq.) Mast.)
• Passiflora edulis var. verrucifera ((Lindl.) Mast.)
• Passiflora vernicosa (Barb.Rodr.)
• Passiflora edulis f. albida (Vanderpl. & S.L.Edwards)
• Passiflora pomifera (M.Roem.)
• Passiflora diaden (Vell.)
• Passiflora picroderma (Barb.Rodr.)
• Passiflora rubricaulis (J.Jacq.)
• Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (O.Deg.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2016 by Roger Vohnout (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2017 by Arnaud Levert (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 13, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 5, 2021 by mastema Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2021 by Patrick salvador (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Sajuzz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2020 by D Kari (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2021 by sg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Mel Mun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2014 by EOL − colinmorita (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Bernd Grossmeier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2016 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2874190)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:321964-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Passiflora edulis Sims)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine

Growth