Passiflora mathewsii
(Mast.) Killip
(c) Martin W, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Martin W
(c) Manuel Roncal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Manuel Roncal
(c) Anibal Prina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Anibal Prina
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
Passiflora incarnata (maypop) leaves and roots have a long history of use as a traditional medicine by Native Americans in North America and were adapted by European colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of maypop are used to make a tea that is used as a sedative. Passionflower as dried powder or an extract is used as a dietary supplement. There is insufficient clinical evidence for using passionflower to treat any medical condition. Passionflower is classified as generally recognized as safe for use as a food ingredient in the U.S.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 2,300-3,000 m above sea level in Ecuador.
Ecuador, Peru, South America*,
How to Identify
A vine. The leaves have 3 lobes and teeth around the edge. The flowers are dark pink. Young fruit are green.
Names & Synonyms
Gullan
References (3)
- Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 486
- Van den Eynden, V., et al, 2003, Wild Foods from South Ecuador. Economic Botany 57(4): 576-603
- Van den Eynden, V., 2004, Use and management of edible non-crop plants in southern Ecuador, Ph D dissertation. p 108
