Tropical Plant "Maracuja-de-restinga"
Passiflora mucronata

Characteristics - Passiflora mucronata is not a cultivated fruitbearer, however it is frequent in its natural habitat, the littoral levees (restingas) from Pernambuco to Rio de Janeiro. It is an herbaceous perennial, vigorous, a climber (with tendrils), totally glabrous, caulis cylindrical and flexuose; stipules ovate-lanceolate with the apex mucronate, coriaceous, very lustrous on the upper surface, 3-5 nerves at the base, 4-12 cm long, a 1-2 cm petiole with 2-4 glands, more or less in the middle. Flowers solitary, 8-10 cm in diameter, with a peduncle of 8cm; they form almost year-round. Fruits have a juicy pulp with a sweet flavor; they mature from January to April.

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

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.