Passiflora bryonioides

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

Fruit - raw. The juicy, watery arils of the fruit are prized by children and are sometimes also eaten as a thirst-quencher by adults. The pale green or light yellowish green, ovoid or ellipsoid fruit is 35 - 45mm long (including a 2 - 9mm long stipe) and 20 - 25mm in diameter. The translucent, whitish to yellowish white, fleshy arils are 11 - 15mm long, gelatinous in texture with a sweet, somewhat fruity-scented aroma.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,

How to Identify

A temperate vine in the passion fruit family (Passifloraceae) that grows up to 5 m long and produces white flowers followed by edible fruit.

How to Grow

Passiflora bryonioides is found from the semi-arid, subtropical climate of Arizona, south to the moist tropics of southern Mexico. Not a very cold hardy plant, when dormant it can tolerate short periods with temperatures falling to around -8°c. Passiflora species generally grow best in a sheltered, sunny position or in dappled shade. Most species are found in the wild in moist but well-drained soils, generally of a lighter texture, and will often flower and fruit more heavily if the soil fertility is low. They often develop deep roots and can be moderately tolerant of dry spells. Most Passiflora species prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil, growing best where the pH is around 6. 5 - 7.5. The plant tolerates disturbance well, often climbing inside shrubs to emerge at their tops, especially in grazed areas; in rangeland it is a plant of hedgerows.

Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe along with the pulp which will help break down the seed coat and speed up germination. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours in warm water and germination time can be reduced if the seed is then mixed with the juice of a fresh passion fruit (of any species). Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24°c. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough. Cuttings of young shoots, taken at the nodes. The cuttings root best in a neutral to slightly acid compost, but 100% sharp sand also produces good results. Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months. Layering. Very easy. Air layering.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves and roots of some, if not all, members of this genus contain a substance called 'passiflorina' which has similaritiesr to morphine and is an effective tranquilizer. We have no specific information for this species but many species are used in herbal infusions to calm the nerves and help bring about a restful sleep. The leaves of many species are also considered to be anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, cutaneous inflammations, and erysipelas.

Passiflora bryonioides, the cupped passionflower, is a plant in the genus Passiflora, family Passifloraceae. It is native to northern Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Guanajuato) and the south-western United States (Arizona). The plant is a perennial vine up to 2 m tall that climbs via tendrils and has palmately-lobed leaves. Flowers are white with purple stripes along the petals. Fruits are pale green and ovoid.

More from Passifloraceae

Adenia cardiophylla

Adenia cissampeloides

Adenia digitata

Wild granadilla, Finger-leaved adenia

Adenia ellenbeckii

Adenia glauca

Adenia gummifera

Snake climber, Green stem