Passiflora foetida

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Passiflora foetida L.
  • Synonyms : Dysosmia gossypiifolia M. Roem
  • Common Name : Love-in-a-Mist, Stinking Passion Flower, Valighani
  • Plant Family : Passifloraceae
  • Plant Form : Climbers
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Passiflora foetida Plant :

  • Habit : A small climber with foetid smell and simple lateral tendrils.
  • Leaves : Simple, glandular, 3-lobed.
  • Flowers :
    • Axillary solitary, small bracts 3, pectinate gland tipped.
    • Calyx tube short, lobes 5.
    • Petals 5, oblong, white tinged with lilac, slightly bluish, corona filamentous, violet in many series.
    • Stamens 5, on an androgynophore, anthers versatile.
    • Ovary hairy, oblong, styles 3, ovules many on parietal placenta.
  • Fruit : A berry
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : July - September
  • Significance :
    • Common in monsoon in the gardens.
    • The leaves are used to cure itche, giddiness and headache.