Passiflora amalocarpa
Barb. Rodr. (1888)
SUBGENUS: decaloba
SUPERSECTION: decaloba
SECTION: decaloba
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OR ORIGIN:
Amazonian regions of Brazil and Peru.
CRITICAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 5 °C
IDEAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 10 °C
SYNONYMS: P. cabedelensis Barb. Rodr.
ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek ἀμαλός amalόs soft, soft, tender and καρπός, karpòs, fruit. Soft fruit.
DESCRIPTION:
This Decaloba, with a thin and striated stem, has transverse leaves, decidedly 'crescent'. The two lateral lobes are slender and end in acute apices. A small nod of the third central lobe interrupts, sometimes, the precise curvature of the leaf that measures up to 4 cm in height and 6.5 cm in width. Along the two lateral ribs there is a clear green marbling very decorative. This species, therefore, is appreciated and sought after for the unusual beauty of the leaves.
The flowers, white of about 4 cm of diameter are made up of sepals and backflexed petals. The crown is formed by two sets of white filaments, the outermost covering the corolla completely. The inner one, with very short filaments, is parallel to the androginoforo.
The fruits are fusiform, about 4 cm long and of a diameter of 1,5 cm. The seeds are furrowed by transverse streaks.
The use of this species is only interesting for collecting since it is not usable in the garden except in the warmer areas of our peninsula (USDA Zone 9a) where it can be experienced.