Passiflora mixta

Passiflora mixta, from the family of passifloraecae is also known as curuba, curuba de indio, curuba de monte, curubita, palta (Colombia),parcha (Venezuela), tacso (Ecuador). Orginally derived from the monophyletic Adeans Passiflora subgenus Tocsonia. Subgenus Tacsonia includes 47 species, one of which is Passiflora mixta which can be found in Southern America. A perennial vine the Passiflora mixta is pink to orange-red in color.

Description

Passiflora mixta,can be identified by large pink flowers, trilobate coricaeous leaves, that are tubular in shape that protrude from its branches. It has a hairy elongated bract and hypanthum that contain a narrow nector chamber. At 7-15 cm long the passiflora mixta has a hypanthium- otherwise known as the flower tube- with a base that contains nectar. Also found in the mixta, are ovaries, anthers and stigmas. These reproductive organs are located anterier to the hypanthium near the androgynophore. The passiflora mixta is capable of producing fruits and flowers that remain open for 3 to 5 days by producing half pendent, horizantal, or erect flowers. Status Wild plant, collected, important genetica resource for banana passion fruit breeding.

Germination

Passiflora mixta seeds must be planted deep in the ground with very little water and plenty of oxygen. Certain seeds can be grown in the dark (recieving little or not sunlight), while others require sunlight to grow. Temperatures should be regulated depending on the seed size. It takes approximatley 30-1 year for the seeds to fully germinate.

Distribution

Ranges from Venezuela to Bolivia
Restricted to the highland between 1700 and 3700m asl.
Can withstand disturbances and is more prominant in dryer enviornment and lower altitudes compared to other species of subgenus Tocsonia
Grows along the edges of forests and along the margins