Blunt-leaved passionfruit
Passiflora aurantia, Fam. Passifloriaceae
Small to medium vine with fine, hairless stems and unbranched, axillary tendrils.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover) |
| Family: | Passifloriaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Usually 3-lobed with lobes broad and shallow, central lobe broadest at base, apex of lobes rounded, lobe margins entire, 3 prominent veins, 2 - 8cm long, hairless, glossy green, lower surface paler and more or less dull. Petiole 1-3cm long, with 2 raised glands near apex. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Red, Pink |
| Flower description: | Star like. White changing to bright pink and red with age. Held upright, 6cm borne singly in leaf axils. Flowers May to July and sporadically. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Purple, Green |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Fleshy, green, ripening to purplish, egg-shaped 2-5cm long berry, numerous black seeds in greyish pulp. |
| Habitat: | Beach scrub, littoral rainforest, rainforest, vine thicket. |
| Distribution | From Cooktown QLD to North Eastern NSW in rainforests and thickets. |
| Food source for: | Food plant for glasswing and cruiser butterflies. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia |
| Notes: | A fast growing vine suitable for screening and trellises. Well drained soils and full sun desirable. Fruit is not edible. |
| Information sources: | Harden G.J. etal (2007) Rainforest Climbing Plants, A field guide to their identification. |
