Passiflora reflexiflora | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

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

Passiflora reflexiflora | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

Systematics (J. Macdougal et al., 2004)

SUBGENUS: passiflora
SUPERSECTION: stipulata
SECTION: tacsonioides


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OR ORIGIN:

 Ecuador.


MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 10 °C


IDEAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 12 °C


SYNONYMS:

J. E. Sm. reflexaMast., P.  P. lorifera  


ETYMOLOGY:

 From the Latin reflexiflorus, as the corolla is reflected completely after the opening.


PHOTOGALLERY:


DESCRIPTION:

The fuchsia red folded back corolla, is completed by a long androgynophore extending forward. This passionflower's flower looks just like an arrow ready to shoot. The long, thin calyx tube further contributes to this image.

The small section Tacsonioides of the supersection Stipulata currently includes only six species, of which the best known is P. umbilicata. A characteristic common to both these passionflowers is precisely that of having petals and sepals bent significantly backwards. In P. umbilicata these are actually placed parallel to the calyx. In P. reflexiflora this behaviour is attenuated and the corolla remains still open and not completely retroflexed.

The whole plant is glabrous and coloured an intense, bright green, combined with violet shades on the stems and smooth or slightly serrated leaf margins. The leaves are trilobate, with a corded base. Together with the central lobe, the lateral lobes form a right or slightly obtuse angle. The leaf is not large, measuring only 5 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The surface is wavy and slightly leathery.

The 0.5 cm diameter, 2.5 cm long calyx supports the crimson corolla, composed of lanceolate sepals and petals. The corona is made up of three series of short red filaments dotted with white at the apex. The flower, which has a diameter of about 7 cm, is both elegant and curious.

The fruit is an ovoid 6 cm long and 4 cm wide.

P. reflexiflora  is available from collectors, and is also rapidly spreading thanks to its easy cultivation. However, not much is yet known about its hardiness or ability to acclimatise. It is certainly less resistant to cold than P. umbilicata and it is assumed that it requires at least 10°C in the winter season.

I suggest propagation with cuttings, as it is the simplest and quickest way to obtain the plant.

TIMELAPSE: