Passiflora edulis

Passiflora edulis, commonly known as passion fruit, is a vine species of passion flower native to southern Brazil, through Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The fruit is a pepo, a type of botanical berry, round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds.

The plant is cultivated commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seedy fruit. This is both eaten and juiced, with the juice often added to other fruit juices to enhance aroma.

Etymology

The passion fruit is so called because it is the fruit of one of the many species of passion flower, the English translation of the Latin genus name, Passiflora.

Description

thumb|Passion fruits for sale in a supermarket in Brazil

Passiflora edulis is a perennial vine; tendrils are borne in leaf axils, and have a red or purple hue when young. There are two main varieties: a purple-fruited type, P. edulis f. edulis, and the yellow-fruited P. edulis f. flavicarpa.

Usually the vine produces a single flower 5–7.5 cm wide at each node. The flower has 5 oblong, green sepals and 5 white petals. The sepals and petals are 4–6 mm in length and form a fringe. The smooth, leathery rind is 9–13 mm thick, including a thick layer of pith. Yellow varieties of the fruit were found to contain prunasin and other cyanogenic glycosides in the peel and juice.

Varieties

200px|thumb|Yellow and purple passion fruit variety (P. edulis var. flavicarpa) comparison

200px|frameless|right|alt=A ripe passion fruit, cut in half to show the insides

Several distinct varieties of passion fruit with clearly differing exterior appearances exist. It generally has to be protected from frost, although certain cultivars have survived light frosts after heavy pruning of affected areas.

Pollination

The flower of the yellow-fruited form of the passion fruit plant is self-sterile, while that of the purple-fruited form is self-compatible. There are three types of yellow passion fruit flowers, classified by curvature of style.

Diseases

Viruses

Passion fruit woodiness virus is one of the most well-known viruses to the passion fruit. It belongs to the Potyvirus group and can attack a plant at any age from nursery to mature plants. Some features include yellow leaves that display distortion in the leaf length and shape. As well as affecting the leaf, this virus influences fruit shape and size. Affected fruits become stone-like and much smaller than normal, with many fruits becoming scabbed and cracked. The virus is spread by sap-sucking insects such as aphids and mites. Woodiness can also spread through vegetation propagation such as infected scions or contaminated tools. There is no chemical control for this virus once the plant is infected, but the use of clean planting material can reduce its dissemination.

One of the most serious viruses pertaining to vegetation is the cucumber mosaic virus. In the passion fruit, this virus appears with yellow mottling on leaves starting at random points on the vine and diminishing in intensity towards the tip. Expanding leaves typically become twisted, curl downward, and develop a "shoestring" appearance as a result of a restriction of the leaf surface. It is mobile and can spread easily through interactions with other plants such as brushing between leaves. This virus is naturally transmitted through aphids and can also be transmitted mechanically through seedlings. Varietal resistance is the primary management tool, and eliminating weeds and infected perennial ornamentals that may harbor the virus is critical. Once the plant has been infected, there is no possible management or control for the virus. many infected plants are affected without visible signs of disease. Although Phytoplasma can be spread through grafting, it can be inhibited by periodic inspection of plant nurseries and areas that have had past infections.

The bacterial grease-spot of the passion fruit is caused by Pseudomonas syringae. It appears with olive-green to brown greasy-looking spots or brown, sunken circular lesions. On a later stage, a hard crust can cover the lesions showing a chlorotic halo. Affecting mainly the stomata, the grease-spot thrives in high temperatures and high relative humidity. To avoid infection, measures that may be adopted include planting seeds from healthy plants and using existing healthy areas. Fungicide controls can aid in preventing further infection.

The anthracnose, a canker caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes, is a pathogen of the passion fruit creating dark and sunken lesions of the trunk. By attacking mature passion fruit trees, these lesions cause intense defoliation and fruit rot. Many leaves die due to the foliar lesions and the skin of fruits becomes papery. Under warm and humid conditions, this disease can worsen, causing red and orange spores eventually killing the plant. Infection is carried out through the residues of the passion flower, infected seeds, seedlings, and cuttings. Managing this disease involves a combination of using pathogen-free seedlings, eliminating infected areas, and improving ventilation and light conditions. Copper-based fungicides on injured areas can prevent the spread of disease.

In Colombia and Costa Rica, it is used for juices and desserts.
In the Dominican Republic, where it is locally called chinola, it is used to make juice and fruit preserves. Passion-fruit-flavored syrup is used on shaved ice, and the fruit is also eaten raw, sprinkled with sugar.
In East Africa, passion fruit is used to make juice, and is commonly eaten as a whole fruit.
In Hawaii, where it is known as , fresh passion fruit pulp is eaten. Lilikoi-flavored syrup is used as a topping for shave ice, soft drinks, a glaze, and to marinate meat and vegetables. It is used as a flavoring for malasadas, cheesecakes, cookies, dessert bars, ice cream and mochi. Passion fruit is also used in jam or jelly, as well as a fruit curd known as "lilikoi butter".
In India, the government of Andhra Pradesh started growing passion fruit vines in the Chintapalli (Vizag) forests to make fruit available within the region. The fruit is eaten raw, sprinkled with sugar, and is used to make juice.
In Indonesia, where it is known as markisa, both edulis and flavicarpa varieties are cultivated and consumed differently. The former is normally eaten as is, while the latter is more commonly strained to obtain its juice, which is cooked with sugar to make passion fruit syrup used in drinks and desserts.
In Mexico, passion fruit is used to make juice or is eaten raw with chili powder and lime.
In Paraguay, passion fruit is used principally for its juice, to prepare desserts such as passion fruit mousse, cheesecake, ice cream, and to flavor yogurts and cocktails.
In Peru, passion fruit has long been a staple in homemade ice pops called "marciano" or "chupetes". Passion fruit is also used in several desserts, especially mousses and cheesecakes. Passion fruit juice is also drunk on its own and is used in ceviche variations and in cocktails, including the Maracuyá sour, a variation of the Pisco sour. , or "sweet", can be eaten raw.
In the Philippines, passion fruit is commonly sold in public markets and in public schools. Some vendors sell the fruit with a straw to enable sucking out the seeds and juices inside.
In Portugal, especially the Azores and Madeira, passion fruit is used as a base for a variety of liqueurs and mousses.
In Puerto Rico, where the fruit is known as "parcha", it is used in juices, ice cream or pastries.
In South Africa, passion fruit, known locally as granadilla (the yellow variety as guavadilla), is used to flavor yogurt, soft drinks, such as Schweppes' "Sparkling Granadilla", and numerous cordial drinks (in cordial flavors, it is referred to as passion fruit). It is often eaten raw or used as a topping for cakes and tarts. Granadilla juice is commonly available in restaurants. The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets.
In Sri Lanka, passion fruit juice, along with faluda, is a common refreshment. Passion fruit cordial is manufactured both at home as well as industrially by mixing the pulp with sugar.
In Suriname, where it is known as , there are three varieties. The red and orange varieties are sold by markets and eaten as a fruit because of their natural sweet flavor. The sour yellow variety, widely grown in the coastal region, is used to make jam and juices with added sugar, either uncooked for instant use or cooked into a thick syrup for refrigerated storage. The juice is also used to flavor cocktails.

File:Passion fruit jam.jpg|Passion fruit jam

File:Passionfruit Thailand.jpg|Home-made passion fruit juice

File:Sintra L1190091 (24866601279).jpg|Passion fruit nectar

File:Mondulkiri Passion Fruit Wine.jpg|Passion fruit wine

File:Maracu-compl3.JPG|Passion fruit oil

File:Scooping passionfruit ice cream (4566754508).jpg|Passion fruit ice cream

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In culture

In 1884, the English Victorian painter Frank Dicksee anachronically represented a passion fruit vine growing up on a Solomonic column in his work Romeo and Juliet, today belonging to the Southampton City Art Gallery (United Kingdom). In 2006, singer-songwriter Paula Fuga released the popular song ", the Hawaiian language word for passion fruit; the song is featured on an album also named after the fruit.

Explanatory notes

References

External links

Grow Passionfruit Vine