Blue Passionflower
Passiflora caerulea
NEMBA: Category 1b
English: Common Passion Flower
The blue passionflower is a South American climbing vine that can grow over 10 metres long. While native to South America, it's now found in many parts of the world. The plant climbs using tendrils and may keep its leaves year-round, depending on the climate. Passiflora caerulea is a beautiful but problematic plant in South Africa. Its rapid growth and ability to out-compete native vegetation pose a significant threat to biodiversity.
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Origins:
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay)
Overall Appearance:
Passiflora caerulea, commonly known as the Passion Flower, is a vigorous, climbing vine with a rapid growth rate.
Height:
Can climb to heights of 6-10 meters or more, depending on the support available.
Width:
Spreads rapidly and can cover large areas if left unchecked.
Leaves:
Leaves are alternate, palmately lobed (usually 3-5 lobes), with serrated margins. They are a bright green colour.
Flowers:
Showy, exotic flowers with a unique structure. They typically have a white or pale purple corolla with a prominent corona of filaments in various colours (purple, white, blue).
Flowering Season:
Flowers are produced throughout the year, with peak flowering periods varying depending on the region.
Fruits:
Fruits are round, yellow berries containing numerous seeds.
Seeds:
Seeds are small and black.
Soil Type:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but prefers well-drained soils.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Edibility:
Parts of the plant, including the flowers and fruits, are edible. However, caution is advised as some parts may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.
Toxicity:
Some parts of the plant may be toxic to animals.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: Widely cultivated as a decorative plant in gardens due to its attractive flowers.
Traditional Medicine: Used in traditional medicine for various ailments, although scientific evidence for many of these uses is limited.
Birds:
Attracts various birds, including sunbirds, which may feed on the nectar.
Insects:
Attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths.
Mammals:
Some mammals may feed on the fruits.
Friendly alternatives:
Natal Wax Flower
Cynanchum natalitium
Monkey Rope Buckhorn
Cynanchum ellipticum
Traveller’s Joy
Clematis brachiata
Plant type:
Climber
Plant family:
Passifloraceae (Latin: passion flowers) - Order: Malpighiales