Passiflora mixta
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. [1]
Description
Passiflora mixta,can be identified by large pink flowers, trilobate coricaeous leaves, that are tubular in shape that protrude from its branches. It h as 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. [2]
Plant Morphology
- Stem- Sub 5-angular
- Leaf Pubescence- Not present on the upper surface,however, missing to seldom dense on the lower surface
- Stipules- Moderate to big in size (6-20 mm in length,12-30 mm wide), reniform, dentate or serrate, persistent
- Peduncle- robust, length varies. Produces half-pendent, horizontal, or erect flowers.
- Bracts- Joined 1/2 their length or beyond
- Corolla Color- Pale pink to intense red
- Corolla Shape- Corolla campanulate
- Floral Tube/Sepal Ratio- 1.6-2.6
- Nectary Chamber- Slightly broader than the floral tube
- Fruits- At maturity, the pericarp often appears green, occasionally turning yellow; arils scarce and grey to orange in color,
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
- Naturalized in Africa and New Zealand
- 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
References
- ^ d'Eeckenbrugge, Geo Coppens. [http://ciatweb.ciat.cgiar.org/ipgri/fruits_from_americas/frutales/Ficha%20Passiflora%2
0mixta.htm "Fruits from America"]. CIRAD-FLHOR/IPGRI Project for Neotropical Fruits.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help); line feed character in|url=at position 89 (help) - ^ LINDBERG, ANNIKA BUÈCHERT (2001). "The fragility of extreme specialization:". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 17: 323–329.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ d'Eeckenbrugge, Coppens. "Passiflora tarminiana".
- ^ "B&T World Seeds". Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ LINDBERG, ANNIKA BUÈCHERT (2001). "The fragility of extreme specialization:". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 17: 323–329.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ d'Eeckenbrugge, Geo Coppens. 0mixta.htm "Fruits from America". CIRAD-FLHOR/IPGRI Project for Neotropical Fruits.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Taxon: Passiflora mixta L. f." Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN).