Passiflora ligularis seeds, sweet Granadilla

Passiflora ligularis seeds

Passiflora ligularis is a vigorous growing plant also known by other names such as sweet granadilla, Yellow passion fruit and Granadilla. The plant synonym is Passiflora serratististipula. Passiflora ligularis is a plant species of Passifloraceae family and passiflora genus. The plant has its origin in Andes Mountains, specifically in Peru and its surroundings such as Equator, Venezuela, Colombia and Bolivia. It has since been distributed throughout the south to North America as well as mountains of Africa and Australia.

Passiflora ligularis is an evergreen fast-growing climbing vine. It can grow roughly up to a height of 5 to 26 metres. The stems scramble over the ground or climb around other vegetation using tendrils. Its vine is woody at the base and the leaves are abundant simple heart-shaped about 20cm long. The flowers are greenish-white and large, followed by sweet ovoid and orange to yellow fruits with small light markings. The fruit size is about 6.5 and 8cm long and 5 to 7 cm in diameter and its outer shell is slippery and hard which is useful in protecting the seeds. In planting it can be propagated or grown from seeds and it does well in medium loamy and clay soils.

Passiflora lingularis has both medicinal and edible uses. For example, the fruit has a soft sweet taste and can be eaten raw or made into drinks. The orange-yellow fruit is soft, translucent and its pulp is perfumed and many people like its taste. The plant is also believed to be medicinal and contain vitamin A, C and K as well as iron, calcium and phosphorus.