Passiflora edulis Sims
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Passifloraceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Glabrous woody vine, 5-10 m long. Leaf blades 7-12 X 9-15 cm, deeply 3-lobed, coriaceous, glabrous, the lobes elliptic or oblong, with acute or acuminate apex, the base nearly cordate, the margins serrate; petioles 3-6 cm long, reddish-tinged, with a pair of globular glands near the blade; stipules filiform, ca. 5 mm long. Flowers pendulous, solitary on long peduncle in leaf axils, subtended by an involucre of 3 persistent, ovate bracts to 2 cm long; peduncle stout, 4-6 cm long. Sepals oblong, green, whitish within, 3-3.5 cm long; petals oblong, whitish within, 2.5-3 cm long; corona of biseriate appendages, violet-striped; gynophore green, ovoid-lobed, 5-7 mm long; stamens 5, spreading from base of ovary; ovary ellipsoid, green, the styles slightly reflexed, the stigmas nearly capitate. Fruit a leathery berry, ovoid, 5-7 cm long, turning from green to yellow. Seeds numerous, nearly elliptic, pitted, ca. 5 mm long, blackish, covered with a juicy orange aril.
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Distribution
Introduced for its juicy fruits, found occasionally as an escape in open disturbed areas. Road to Susannaberg (A834). Also on St. Thomas; widely cultivated throughout the tropics for its edible fruits.
Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America|