Passiflora quadrangularis | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

Passiflora quadrangularis, information, classification, temperatures. etymology of Passiflora quadrangularis. Discover the Italian Passiflora Collection by Maurizio Vecchia.

Passiflora quadrangularis | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

Systematics (J. Macdougal et al., 2004)

SUBGENUS: passiflora
SUPERSECTION: laurifolia
SERIES: laurifoliae


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OR ORIGIN:

Tropical America.


MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 8


IDEAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 12 °C


SYNONYMS:

P. grandiflora Salisb., P. macrocarpa Mast., P. sulcata Jacq., P. tetragona Roemer


ETYMOLOGY:

From the Latin quadrangulatus, as the stems have square section, with four edges. 


NOTES:

 Chromosomes: n=9, 2n=18


PHOTOGALLERY:


DESCRIPTION:

There has always been a lot of confusion around this passionflower, as one of its hybrids, P. x decaisneana (P. alata x P. quadrangularis) is often also sold under this name. The true P. quadrangularis is found naturally in various regions of Central America, where it lives at altitudes of up to 2500 metres. It was only brought to Europe a few years ago but is now easily available from a number of specialist nurseries.

This monumental plant produces the largest flowers and fruits present in the genus Passiflora, a characteristic also referred to in its synonyms, P. macrocarpa and P. grandiflora.

P. quadrangularis is a robust hairless climber, with square cross-sectioned stems with protruding, acute edges. It can exceed 10 m in length and, through its branching, adopts an imposing appearance.

The large whole leaves, ovate-lanceolate in shape with a rounded base and acute apex, have 2-3 pairs of glands on the grooved petiole. The blade is substantial and robust, light green in colour and with a wavy appearance due to the solid secondary ribs in relief.

The flowers, of flamboyant beauty, are characterised by an open corolla (diameter 12 cm) and a rich corona of filaments stretched forward. The light pink sepals alternate and contrast with the darker petals. The corona, formed by 5 series of long filaments, is coloured in alternating blue-purple and white bands from the base to the curled apex.

The fruits are ovoid with a quadrangular cross-section, yellow when ripe, up to 30 cm long and up 15 cm wide, and containing a fragrant, flavourful aril.

This climber does not tolerate temperatures much below 10°C. It must therefore be grown in large containers placed in a greenhouse or in a bright, heated environment during the winter.

Propagation is done with cuttings or seeds.