Granadilla – Passion fruit

Granadilla – Passion fruit

Passiflora edulis

Common Name:

Granadilla – Passion fruit

Scientific Name:

Passiflora edulis


Alternative common names:

Purple granadilla, yellow passion fruit, grenadella (Afrikaans).

Description:

The granadilla or passion fruit is a vine species of passion flower that is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is a vigorous, climbing vine that clings by tendrils to almost any support. It can grow 15-20m per year once established. It is generally short-lived (5-7 years).

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

South America (Brazil).

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 2 in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Not listed in urban areas in Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo, North West, KwaZulu-Natal ,and Mpumalanga.

How does it spread?

Dispersed by humans and by primates who eat the fruit and pass out the seed in their droppings.

Why is it a problem?

It scrambles up and competes with indigenous forest and plantation species.

What does it look like?

Leaves: The evergreen leaves are alternate, deeply three-lobed when mature and finely toothed.

Flowers: White, except base of corona which is purple.

Fruit/seeds: Globose berries, greenish-yellow turning deep purple

Does the plant have any uses?

It produces edible fruit and is grown as an ornamental plant.

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