Passiflora foetida

Passiflora foetida, commonly known as the stinking passionflower, is a species of flowering plant in the Passiflora genus. It is native to the tropical regions of South and Central America, but has been introduced to other parts of the world as an ornamental plant. The plant's distinctive odor gives it its common name. The stinking passionflower is a climbing vine that can grow up to 10 meters in length. It features large, three-lobed leaves that are green on top and purple underneath. The flowers are unique, with five petals and sepals, numerous white or purple filaments topped with yellow anthers, and three stigmas. The fruit produced by Passiflora foetida is edible, but it is not commonly consumed due to its unpleasant odor. The fruit is a small green or yellow egg-shaped berry containing numerous seeds. In traditional South American medicine, various parts of the plant have been used for their medicinal properties, such as treating anxiety disorders and insomnia due to their sedative effects. Overall, Passiflora foetida is a fascinating tropical vine species known for its distinctive flowers and unpleasant smell, which makes it less popular than other members of the genus, such as P. edulis (passionfruit).

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Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Annual, Perennial

Genus

Passiflora

Family

Passifloraceae

Hardiness Zone

2-11

Mature Height

9.14 m

Mature Spread

2.13 m

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

White, Lavender

Flower Size

2.03 cm to 5.08 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Summer, Early fall

Planting Time

Spring

Harvest Time

Summer, Fall

Native Area

Belize, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Uruguay, Cuba, Paraguay, Argentina, Haiti, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica

Tags (6)

Common Names (30)