Tropical Plant "Crato passion fruit"
Passiflora cincinnata

Characteristics - The Crato passion fruit is not a cultivated fruit bearer however it is abundant in its natural habitat, the forests and brushy areas of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, central Brazil, Mato Grosso, Para, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and the northeastern coast. It is a semi-perennial, herbaceous climbing vine (with tendrils), normally glabrous, with a cilindrical or subangular caulis; stipules linear-subulate with finely serrated borders, 6-15 mm long. Leaves 3-5 pamatisect, bicolor, subcoriaceous, 4-8 cm long with a 2-5 cm petiole having 2 glands 1cm from the leaf base. Flowers solitary, fragrant, 7-12 cm in diameter, form from October to December. Fruits have a juicy pulp with a sweet flavor, they mature from January to May.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state and are greatly appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.