Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea is a woody vine capable of growing to high where supporting trees are available. The leaves are alternate, palmately five-lobed (sometimes three, seven, or nine lobes), and are up to in length while being linear-oblong shaped. The base of each leaf has a flagellate-twining tendril long, which twines around supporting vegetation to hold the plant up. == Etymology ==

The specific epithet caerulea means "blue" and refers to the blue coronal filaments. == Cultivation ==

Passiflora caerulea is widely cultivated as a wall-climber or as groundcover. It is a hardy species, able to survive winter temperatures as low as , although it requires a sheltered position facing south or west (in the Northern Hemisphere). It can become invasive, the twining shoots constantly appearing unless eradicated. It is the only Passiflora species that volunteers in California. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Cultivars A number of cultivars have been produced from the species: • 'Chinensis' (corona filaments paler blue) • 'Constance Elliott' was raised by Lucombe, Pince & Co in Exeter, Great Britain in 1884. It has pure white, fragrant flowers; not as free-flowering as many other clones. It has also won the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. • 'Pierre Pomie', a pale pink flower form ==Uses==

The fruit is edible to humans when ripe, but its flavour has been described as bland, undesirable or insipid. though with a lower sugar content than commonly eaten species. A tea can be made of the flower or leaves; but the leaves contain tetraphyllin B and epi-tetraphyllin B, cyanogenic glycosides that liberate hydrogen cyanide when activated by enzymes. It is possible to boil away most of the cyanide. In South America, the plant is known for its medicinal uses. It is used in both herbal tea and dietary supplements, as well as in marmalades, ice creams, syrups and beverages. It is also used by the indigenous Argentinian Toba and Maka people. == In culture ==

Passiflora caerulea is the national flower of Paraguay. Its intricate structure has generated Christian symbolism, each part representing a different part of the Passion of Christ. ==Gallery==

File:Fleur de jardin.JPG|Flower File:Passiflora caerulea (2005 10 08) - vrucht.jpg|Fruit File:South Central Farm 45.jpg|Flower File:Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Elliot'.jpg|'Constance Elliot', a white flowered cultivar File:Passiflora "Pierre Pomié".jpg|'Pierre Pomie', a pale pink flowered cultivar File:Passiflora-caerulea 2019-06-23 (DSC2447-1).jpg|Peculiarity: two fused filaments force anthers upwards, displaying pollen beds otherwise not visible from this perspective. File:Passiflora caerulea -Passiflore bleue-Fleurs-20210705.jpg|Flower File:Passiflora caerulea seeds.jpg|Seeds, the red gel-like substance around them removed File:Passiflora caerulea, espécie de maracujá (do tupi murukuîá) 03.jpg|Whole fruit File:Passiflora caerulea, espécie de maracujá (do tupi murukuîá) 01.jpg|Fruit ==References==