Passiflora multiflora L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.

  • Family

    Passifloraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Passiflora multiflora L.

  • Description

    Description - Slightly woody vine, tomentose, attaining 2-15 m in length and climbs by means of axillary tendrils. Stems cylindrical, with numerous lateral branches; mature stems sulcate; cross section with 4-lobate xylem. Leaves alternate, tomentose, chartaceous, 5-12 x 2-4 cm, oblong or lanceolate, not lobate, the apex rounded or obtuse, mucronate, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins entire, revolute; upper surface dull, pubescent; lower surface pale green, dull, pilose, with prominent venation; petioles 4-10 mm long, tomentose, with a pair of glands in the area where they join the blade; stipules filiform. 3-5 mm long; tendrils simple. Flowers in groups of 2-6, axillary, subtended by a minute subulate bract; peduncle 5-15 mm long, tomentose. Sepals elliptical, green, ca. 3.5 x 1.5 mm; petals linear, white, 3.5 x 0.8 mm; corona of numerous filiform segments, yellowish, ca. 2.5 mm long; gynophore cylindrical, broadened at the base, 0.7-0.8 mm long; stamens 5, yellowish; ovary ellipsoid, green, the stigmas capitate-bilobate, yellow. Fruit a fleshy berry, depressed-globose, 6-8 mm in diameter, glabrous, turning from green to purple when ripe. Seeds numerous, lenticular, rugose, ca. 2 mm long, light brown.

    Phenology - Collected in flower from December to March and in fruit from January to April.

    Conservation Status - Native, uncommon.