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Passiflora membranacea
Passifloraceae FAMILY

Passiflora membranacea

Passiflora membranacea

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Climber
GrowthFast

Passiflora membranacea is a plant of moderate to high elevations in the tropics of Mesoamerica, usually being found above 1,000 metres and often above 2,000 ,etres. Plants experience frost at least in parts of their range and they are able to tolerate occasional short periods where temperatures fall as low as -5°c[1]. They require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[2]. Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun[1]. 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[2, 1]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].

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[1]. 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)[1]. Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate[1]. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24°c[1]. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough[1]. 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[1]. Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months, but there is usually a high percentage[4]. Layering. Very easy[1]. Air layering. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Passiflora+membranacea>

Pollinators

Bees

References

  1. [1]Passion Flowers — Vanderplank. J. · Cassell. London. · 1991 · ISBN 0-304-34076-6 ↩︎An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]Climbers and Wall Shrubs. — Davis. B. · Viking. · 1990 · ISBN 0-670-82929-3 ↩︎Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.
  4. [4]Growing Unusual Fruit. — Simmons. A. E. · David & Charles; Newton Abbot. · 1972 · ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 ↩︎A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
  5. [5]Passifloraceae — MacDougal J.M. · 2011 ↩︎
  6. [6]Flora of Guatemala — Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark · 1946 - 1976 · http://www.archive.org/ ↩︎A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
  7. [7]Hyptis brevipes (Lamiaceae) Extracts Strongly Inhibit the Growth and Development of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) L — Hanem H. Sakr, Shimaa H. Roshdy, & Hesham R. El-Seedi · 2013 · http://www.japsonline.com · ISBN 10.7324/JAPS.2013 ↩︎
  8. [8]Dicionário das Plantas Úteis do Basil e das Exóticas Cultivadas Vol. 5 — Corrêa M. Pio & Penna L. de Azeredo · Ministério da Agricultura; Rio de Janeiro · 1978 ↩︎A massive work in six volumes, first published in the 1920's and revised in the 1970's. Written in Portuguese.
  9. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎