Passiflora microstipula | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

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

Passiflora microstipula | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OR ORIGIN:

 Mexico.


MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 8 °C


IDEAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 10 °C


ETYMOLOGY:

Denomination of morphological origin: from the small stipules. From the greek μικρός (micrós) small and stipula (stipules). 


PHOTOGALLERY:


DESCRIPTION:

This Mexican species is newly introduced in Europe and is not easy to find at specialist nurseries.

It has large whole leathery, ovate-lanceolate leaves (22 cm in length and 18 cm in width), characterised by a beautiful blue-green colour and a yellow-green band that runs along the entire central rib. It is very similar in colour, shade and leaf shape to P. lancettillensis, which, however, lacks the coloured band. Both emit buds and flowers at the base of the tendril, rather than at the nodes, directly on the stem.

The flowers are ivory-white, about 5 cm in diameter. The sepals and petals are the same colour; however, they are contrasted by the corona, composed of light yellow filaments with a brown base.

It is a plant yet to be experimented with. I owned a specimen years ago and found that, in winter, it withstood the uncomfortable climate of my small greenhouse, which, on the coldest nights of the year, could drop to temperatures around 5-6°C (even though the thermostat was set at 15°C). I, therefore, believe that it has good adaptability, but not sufficient to attempt its outdoor cultivation, except in the warmest areas of the peninsula. To find out more, however, further attempts must be made.

Nonetheless, it is a beautiful and captivating pot plant, with elegant and unusual foliage. Its cultivation deserves to be tried even as a houseplant, as it grows slowly and calmly, thus posing no space problems.

It can be propagated from cuttings, although patience is needed as root emission does not occur as readily as in other species. It is very difficult to find its seeds.