Passiflora morifolia | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

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

Passiflora morifolia | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

Systematics (J. Macdougal et al., 2004)

SUBGENUS: decaloba
SUPERSECTION: bryonioides


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OR ORIGIN:

 Bolivia, Mexico and Guatemala. From Peru to Paraguay, Argentina.


MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 5 °C


IDEAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: 10 °C


SYNONYMS:

P. erosa Rusby, P. heydei Killip, P. warmingii Mast., P. weberiana Mast.


ETYMOLOGY:

From the leaves similar to those of the mulberry (Morus sp.). 


NOTES:

 Chromosomes: n=6, 2n=12


PHOTOGALLERY:


DESCRIPTION:

P. morifolia is much appreciated by collectors because, while not possessing an exceptional beauty, it has other characteristics that make it interesting: its rapid and vivacious growth, its abundant and prolonged flowering, its decorative fruit, as well as its ease of dissemination and naturalisation. Those who cultivate this passionflower in the garden can be sure that the following year they will find new small plants almost everywhere, even if the mother specimen has died of cold. Its hardiness, in fact, is not sufficient to withstand the harsh winters of the Po Valley or other similar climatic areas. On the Ligurian Riviera and in central-southern Italy, however, it will survive without problems, especially if it is planted in sheltered places and with a mild microclimate. It bears short frosts and shows no signs of suffering at average temperatures close to 5°C.

It has trilobate leaves, hairy and sticky to the touch. The petiole has two clavate glands placed near the leaf blade. Its flowers are white, about 3 cm in diameter, and are contrasted by the corona of filaments, which is violet in its centre. The sepals are longer and more flamboyant than the petals. The flower's beauty comes from the contrast between the white of the corolla and the violet of the corona, which is formed by a single series of very dense filaments.

The ovoid fruits, edible but of poor quality, are dark violet when ripe and contain an aril of surprisingly intense orange in which the black seeds are immersed. This plant is therefore decorative both for its flowers and its fruit, which are always abundant.

It grows quickly and must be grown in a pot of at least 20 cm in diameter to give it the opportunity to express itself fully. It needs space and suitable supports for its size in order to cover itself with leaves, flowers and fruit. It requires rich, fertile soil, which will need regular fertilisation.

P. morifolia is often confused with other species, including P. bryonioides, which, despite having similar flowers, has green fruits even when ripe.

Propagation is easy by seed. To get plants that will bloom quickly, cuttings are the best method.