Passiflora

Passiflora is a genus of about 550 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae. They are mostly vines, with some being shrubs, and a few species being herbaceous. For information about the fruit of the passiflora plant, see passionfruit. The monotypic genus Hollrungia seems to be inseparable from Passiflora, but further study is needed.

Description

The genus Passiflora is named after the passion of Jesus in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion.

Distribution and habitat

Passiflora is distributed mainly in South America, Central America, and Mexico. They are also present in the United States, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Passiflora species are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species.

Uses

Many Passiflora species are cultivated outside their natural range because of their beautiful flowers. They are also grown for their fruit. Several Passiflora species are used in traditional medicine.

See also

• List of Passiflora species
• Passiflora incarnata
• Passiflora edulis

References

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External links

• Passiflora Society International

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