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Passiflora quadrangularis L.
| Family Name: | Passifloraceae |
| Common Name: | Giant Granadilla, Parcha, Timun Belanda, Giant Tumbo |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a fast-growing, semi-woody vine, climbs to a usual height of 10 - 15 m (in some areas, up to 45 m). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Tendrils are located at the axils, with leaf-like, ovate shaped stipules (measuring up to 3.5 cm long). Leaves are broadly ovate to oblong-ovate, measuring 10 - 20 cm long and 8 - 15 cm wide, and alternately arranged along the stem. Base is rounded to cordate, while apex is abruptly acute. Leaf blade is thin, with visible sunken veins on the upper surface, and prominent on the undersides. |
| Stems | Stems are 4-angled, prominently winged on the angles. |
| Flowers | Flowers are solitary and fragrant. Each flower is about 12 cm in diameter, has a bell-shaped calyx, 5 sepals greenish on the outside while whitish, pinkish or purplish on the inside; 5 white and pink petals, measuring about 4.5 cm long; corona filaments are purple, white and blue. |
| Fruit | Fruits are melon-like shaped, oblong, aromatic, measuring about 10 - 30 cm long and 15 cm wide. Fruit surface may be longitudinally 3-lobed or ribbed, skin is greenish white to pale yellow and thin. Flesh is white or pink and about 4 cm thick; the central cavity contains juice and yellowish sweet and acidic pulp, which enclose brown seeds. |
| Habitat | Found in jungle areas. |
| Cultivation | The vine requires moist and fertile but well-drained soil. Plants grown from seeds may take at least 2 - 3 weeks to germinate. Plant stem cuttings of about 30 cm long in well-drained soil, and defoliate partially. Plants can then be transplanted in about 30 days when there is sufficient vegetative growth or root development. Plant the vines about 3 m apart. Pruning may be required if plant is too dense. Regularly apply fertilizers high in organic matter. Hand pollination may be required if no insect pollinators around, best done in the late morning of not more than 4 hours after flower opens. Fruits are ready for harvest when the skin turns glossy and the apex is turning yellowish. |
| Etymology | The genus Passiflora means passion-flower The specific epithet quadrangularis means four angles, with reference to the stem shape. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Seeds Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The green unripe fruits are boiled and eaten as vegetables. The edible seeds are covered in whitish, sweet but tart, jelly-like pulp. Others: The fruit flesh (with inner skin removed) can be cut up and added to fruit salads. Flesh has bland taste and hence need added flavouring. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pruning | Pruning may be necessary when plant grows too dense. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Cordate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Climbing Tendril |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Pink, Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Bumpy / Tuberculate |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Seed Description | Seeds are flattened, oval-shaped, measuring about 1.3 cm long. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32664 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7076 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
