Passiflora alata

Passiflora alata

The fragrant granadilla or winged-stem passion flower, wingstem passion (Passiflora alata Curtism, 1788) is a shrub species belonging to the Passifloraceae family.

Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Violales Order,
Passifloraceae family,
Genus Passiflora,
Species P. alata.
The term is basionym:
Passiflora alata var. Brazilian (Desf.) Mast..
The terms are synonymous:
– Passiflora alata (Dryand.) 1789;
– Passiflora alata Dryand. ex Aiton;
– Passiflora alata var. acuminata Graham;
– Passiflora alata var. insignis Graham;
– Passiflora alata var. latifolia (DC.) Mast.;
– Passiflora alata var. mauritiana (Thouars) Mast.;
– Passiflora alata var. pedunculata Graham;
– Passiflora angulata Sweet;
– Passiflora angulata Sweet ex Mast.;
– Passiflora bicolorata W.H.Baxter;
– Passiflora brasiliana Desf.;
– Passiflora citrifolia Salisb.;
– Passiflora latifolia DC.;
– Passiflora maliformis Vell.;
– Passiflora mascarensis C.Presl;
– Passiflora mauritiana Thouars;
– Passiflora oviformis M.Roem.;
– Passiflora pedunculata Mast.;
– Passiflora phoenicia Lindl.;
– Passiflora pyriformis DC.;
– Passiflora sarcosepala Barb.Rodr.;
– Passiflora tetradena Vand.;
– Passiflora tetradena Vand. ex DC..

Etymology –
The term Passiflora comes from the Latin “passio, -onis”, passion and “flos, -oris”, flower, i.e. Passion flower, due to its appearance which recalls the symbols of the Passion of Christ.
The specific epithet alata comes from the Latin “alatus, a, um”, i.e. winged, in reference to the quadrangular stem with protruding edges.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Passiflora alata is a plant native to an area that includes: Argentina (Chaco and Misiones), Bolivia, Brazil (Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Sao Paulo) and Paraguay.
Its natural habitat is that of coastal banks and rainforests up to approximately 500 m above sea level.

Description –
Passiflora alata is a climbing, semi-woody, evergreen plant that grows by anchoring itself to supports via tendrils produced in the axils of the leaves.
The stem has a quadrangular section with membranous wings at the edges.
The leaves are carried by a petiole about 5 cm long equipped with 2-4 nectariferous glands, they are alternate, entire, chordate with a pointed apex, 10-15 cm long and 5-10 cm wide, with 7-8 lateral veins; the stipules (appendages at the base of the petiole which have the task of protecting the leaf in the first stages of development) are linear to lanceolate, 1-2 cm long, with an entire or toothed margin.
The flowers are solitary hermaphrodites, axillary, very fragrant, 10-12 cm in diameter, with 5 sepals and 5 oblong petals of carmine red color internally, with a crown of filaments, about 3 cm long, streaked with white, red and violet , slightly curled at the apex.
The fruits are obovoid or pyriform in shape, 8-12 cm in length and 3-6 cm in diameter, yellow in color when ripe, and weigh from 90 to 300 g.
Inside there are numerous seeds immersed in a whitish pulp (aril).

Cultivation –
Passiflora alata is an evergreen climbing shrub producing edible fruit that is often harvested from the wild and is widely enjoyed.
The plant produces large, very fragrant flowers and is widely cultivated, both as an ornamental and for its edible fruits.
The species is also cultivated for commercial purposes, especially in Brazil, where the fruit is highly sought after for its juicy, fragrant pulp with a pleasant flavour, suitable for direct consumption or for drinks and sorbets, furthermore leaf extracts are used in the pharmaceutical industry Brazilian for its anxiolytic properties.
It is a plant that grows well in lowland areas of tropical to subtropical climates. The plants need a temperature no lower than around 16°C during flowering to ensure fruit set.
Plants can tolerate occasional low temperatures down to 2°C.
From a pedological point of view they require humus-rich, humid but well-drained soil and a shaded position but they also grow well in a sunny position.
The soil must have a pH towards neutrality as the plant does not like very acidic or very alkaline conditions; furthermore, Passiflora species tend to flower and bear fruit more freely if grown in moderately fertile soil.
The plants produce tendrils and climb by attaching them to other plants.
The plants are very tolerant of pruning and, if necessary, can be cut back to ground level to rejuvenate the plant.
Where permanent outdoor cultivation is not possible, it adapts well to pot cultivation so that it can be sheltered in the winter period in a very bright environment, at a minimum temperature not lower than 14 °C; any pruning must be carried out at the beginning of spring. The flowers are hermaphroditic, but self-sterile, for cross-fertilization the presence of another plant not obtained vegetatively from it would therefore be necessary. If you are interested in the production of fruits, the pollen of Passiflora caerulea can still be used effectively for fertilization. .
P. alata is a very floriferous plant of great ornamental value, which has given rise to numerous hybrids.
Reproduction can take place by seed which must be kept in water for 1-2 days and placed in particularly draining sowing soil, kept humid at a temperature of 22-25 °C, with variable and generally long germination times, even many months.
It can also be reproduced agamically by cutting and layering; it is quite easy and allows you to have plants ready for flowering.

Customs and Traditions –
Passiflora alata is a plant known by various common names; among these are: fragrant granadilla, winged-stem passion flower, wingstem passion flower (English); passiflore du Brésil, (French); flor-da-paixão, maracujá-doce, maracujá-grande, maracujazeiro grande, maracutão (Portuguese – Brazil); pasionaria (Spanish).
It is a seagrass of the Passifloraceae family, native to the Amazon region of Brazil. The natives call it ouvaca which means red star, due to the appearance of its flower.
The plant, in addition to being used in its natural state, is cultivated for its fruits, for medicinal use or even to obtain some materials.
The large yellow fruit has a pleasant flavor with the pulp being juicy and sweet.
It is consumed raw and highly appreciated for preparing drinks.
In Brazil, P. alata is officially recognized as a phytomedicine and was included in the first edition of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia in 1929. It is well known in folk medicine throughout South America, although the exact pharmacological composition of the plant is poorly understood and requires further information.
Among other uses, an extract of the fruits is reported to be used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations such as hair conditioner.
An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a balm-like.

Preparation Method –
Passiflora alata is a plant used and used for food, medicinal, cosmetic or ornamental purposes.
In food use, fruits are used that are eaten raw or used to prepare drinks.
In the medicinal field, the leaves and roots contain a substance called passionflower which has similarities with morphine and is an effective tranquilizer.
The leaves of many species are also considered anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, skin inflammation and erysipelas.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/179403569/original.jpeg

Attention: Pharmaceutical applications and food uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; we therefore decline any responsibility for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.