Volume 21(2), 77- 81, 2017 JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology

www.journal-hfb.usab-tm.ro

77

The Passiflora genus - New perspectives in flower production in controlled environment Boboc Paula (Oros)1, Cantor Maria*1

1University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Horticulture Faculty, 3-5 Mănăştur

Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania *Corresponding author. Email: marcantor@yahoo.com Abstract. Nowadays the introduction of new species and varieties in floricultural crops in Romania is a necessity, the more so as there is the possibility of monitoring the ecological factors in a controlled climate. Passiflora is a highly appreciated worldwide plant, for both the decorative value and the many medicinal properties it has. For ornamental purposes, the most common is Passiflora caerulea, followed by the species Passiflora edulis and Passiflora quadrangularis, which, in addition to fruit production, are also used for decorative purposes. Passifloa incarnata has the greatest interest in Passifloraceae because it contains significant amounts of substances such as: alpha-alanine, pectin, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, serotonins, sterols, volty oils, etc., with sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic and hypotensive properties. This paper focuses on the presentation of these Passiflora species from the ornamental, food and medicinal point of view in order to be promoted and introduced into culture in climate controlled areas.

Key words new species, morpho - decorative characteristics, phytotherapy, alternatives

The Passiflora genus is the most widespread of the

tropical flora, belongs to Passifloraceae family,

comprising over 500 species. More than 350 species of

all of them were found in tropical regions and tropical

rainforests in South America, and 60 of them are edible

[16].

Passiflora L. species are distributed in tropical

and subtropical regions, from sea level to attitudes over

3000 m. The largest diversity of the species is found in

the temperate and continental regions between 400 m

and 2000 m altitude above Sea level [13].

Depending on the people, the flower has

different names: passion flower, flower of the passions

of Christ, the apricot vine, the maracuja or the

grandilla. The etymology of the word comes from

Latin (passion, meaning suffering, passion) and refers

to the passions of Christ, being the vegetal symbol of

the sins to which the Savior was subjected [23].

Starting from the description written by the Spanish

missionary Jacomo Bossio in 1609, passiflora has been

given religious connotations that have changed over

time: it was known as "espina de christo" = "the crown

of Christ" in Spain , Or "Star of the Virgin Mary" in

Germany. For the Spanish missionary, the flower was

the mystery of the passions of Christ because it

included symbols of crucifixion. Thus, as a result of his

performance, passiflora also receives the name "la flor

de las cinco llagas" - "the flower of the five wounds".

These names are not universal, but they are the culture

of each country. For example, in Japan, Passiflora is

known as the "clock plant" [22].

The major diversity center of this species is in

Brazil. Here are two recognized forms for the edible

fruits they produce: purple (Passiflora edulis) and

yellow (Passiflora edulis f. Flavicarpa). Passiflora

quadrangularis is also grown for local consumption, it

is suitable for hot and humid climates, producing a

round or elongated, yellow-green fruit at maturity.

Passiflora caerulea is a vine, appreciated especially for

its ornamental value [11]. Passiflora incarnata is a

plant with particular importance for its use in

contemporary phytotherapy, long used as anxiolytic

agent, is probably one of the most widely studied

species to date [21].

Species description

Approximately 20 Passiflora species are

cultivated specifically for ornamental purposes. Of

these, P. elegans, P. picturata and P. raddiana,

originating in Brazil, are the most popular species.

Passiflora liguiaris, P. manicata and P.

quadrangularis were introduced and cultivated as

ornamental species and appreciated for their edible

fruit. There are species producing fragrant flowers,

suitable for growing in pots, for example, P. cerulea,

P. antioquiensis and P. rubra. The species P.

capsularis, P. foetida, P. mollissima and P. subpeltata

can be cultivated in the greenhouse, being appreciated

for the decorative value [7].

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The most known species of the genus is

Passiflora caerulea (Fig.1), used as a decorative indoor

plant or garden in regions where the climate is

favorable for its development. It is a vigorous plant

with a voluminous stem, well branched, high up to 4

meters in maturity, with persistent and glossy leaves.

Flowers are white, solitary, with light green sepals and

white petals, but similar to sepals, 7-8 cm in diameter,

strongly fragrant and occur throughout the summer and

autumn. The stamens are large and numerous, with a

light blue, white, and red base, covering the petals 2/3

of their length. The stigma is large, cuneiform and

trifle [17].

Fig. 1. Passiflora caerulea (Ornamental palisade plant)

(Source: Original)

Passiflora quadrangularis is a highly voluble

decorative plant (Fig. 2). The flowers are solitary,

fragrant and can reach up to 12 cm in purple color. The

plant's stems are bent, the leaves are green and oval.

Ȋnfloreşte selected this summer, from June to August

[5]. The fruit is large, reaching extreme values of 8-10

cm in diameter and 10-20 cm in length, with juicy

pulp, yellowish-green. It has many names among

which, in English, it is common: wild passionflower,

granadilla, old field apricot, apricot vine, passion vine,

mayapple, maypop, flower, molly pop, Holy Trinity,

Maracock, white sarsaparilla. In Romanian it meets

under the simple name of pasiflora, passion fruit or

maracuja [26].

Fig. 2. Passiflora quadrangularis from the greenhouse

of USAMV Cluj-Napoca (Source: Original)

Passiflora incarnata is a medicinal but also

ornamental plant, which can reach 4-5 m in size, the

flowers have a corolla of white-gray petals surrounding

a crown of thin filaments, longer than the petals, of

several colors (purple at the base, white in the middle

and blue at the top), and the 5 stamens are yellow and

gold and the 3 stigmas are brown (Fig. 3). The fruits

are large and contain many seeds inside. The flower

blooms in the summer and spectacular flowers are

obtained by exposure to the sun or a semi-shaded

place, preferring medium humus soil, rich in humus

and neutral acidity. The purpose medicinl use young

branches, thin, with or without leaves [34].

Fig. 3. Passiflora incarnata (flower)

(Source: www.plantlust.com [29])

Passiflora edulis is widely grown for its edible

fruit (Fig. 4). It is a herbaceous lance, which can reach

up to 15 m long. Its flowers are fragrant, solitary,

white, with light green sepals and white petals, but

similar to the 5 sepals, 8-10 cm in diameter, the crown

of filaments is purple at the base. Stamens are large

and numerous, with purple base. Flowering takes place

between July and August.

The alternate leaves have a diameter of about

15 cm, are trilobate, skinny and slightly shiny. It

features a simple, axillary thigh that reaches 10 cm in

length [35]. This species produces some of the finest

exotic fruits used in culinary art and alternative

medicine.

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Fig. 4. Passiflora edulis (flower and fruit)

(Source: www.tijardin.com [31])

Passiflora genus usage

Passiflora use for medicinal purposes dates

back to the Maya culture, where it was used to treat

dysentery [9].

The sanogenic effects of this species were first

discovered in Peru, where the Spanish doctor, Dr.

Monardes, brought it to Europe in 1569. Infusion from

the plant leaves was used in North America in the mid-

1800s. In many countries in Europe, the US and

Canada have been used as tranquilizers in the case of

neuroses for more than 200 years. For example, in

Germany, in 1979 there were 42 sedatives and six

cardiotonics prepared from the species of this species.

It has also been used to treat colic, dysentery, diarrhea,

menstrual pain, insomnia, headache, eye pain, epilepsy

and convulsions in pain or muscle spasms [14].

Passionflower aerial parts were the most

popular ingredients in most embedded extracts, tablets

and tinctures [24].

Passiflora was first registered as an official

drug in the 1970s and 1990s by the pharmacopoeia in

America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France,

Switzerland, Egypt and India [7].

P. coccinea is used as a contraceptive by the

Yawalapiti Indians, a tribe living in the Xingu reserve

in the Amazon forest [19]. They call it "ma-uan-tapa"

which literally means "the root that leaves a woman

without child". Indian women daily drink cold tea

made from these roots to avoid pregnancy. The same

species was also used in Guyana for the treatment of

conjunctivitis [8] cited by [7].

Other Passiflora species are thought to have

astringent, depurative, vermifuge effects and are used

in the treatment of arthritis, gout, hemorrhoids, skin

inflammation, and stress reduction [6] cited by [7].

There is information about the presence of

poisonous metabolites, such as prussian acid, leaf,

pericarp, and immature seeds of P. quadrangularis [2].

"Maracuja" was also associated with death in

Brazilian folklore, especially in northeastern Brazil

[19].

Flavonoids are the main component of the

Passiflora species studied to date [25].

P. edulis and P. incarnata species are most

used in phytomedicine, so they will be treated

separately in the following rows.

The traditional use of P. edulis for its sedative

properties is well known in South America, particularly

in Brazilian folk medicine. Such traditional use is

based on the use of leaves and roots. Fruits are also

highly appreciated and used against stomach cancer

[10]. The fruit of the passiflor enjoys all the inhabitants

of the tropical rainforest, both humans and animals, all

eating it with great pleasure. Some Passiflora species

have been grown for use in traditional cuisine. The

fruit is used in the preparation of salads, creams, ice

creams, sherbets and other preparations.

P. incarnata is cultivated in Europe and

widely used in homeopathy and phytotherapy [18]

cited by [7]. The plant has been recommended since

the beginning of the century against insomnia and

nervous manifestations during menopause [12] cited by

[7]. Its aerial parts (flowers, fruits and stems) have

traditionally been used in folk medicine (in the US)

against anxiety and neuralgia [3].

Because P. incarnata has a slightly sedative

effect, it can be used in combination with other species

of the same type of effect, such as Valeriana

officinalis, Humulus lupulus and Piscidia piscipula for

the treatment of insomnia [7].

In addition to these uses, it was also

considered useful against headaches and tension [15].

There have been situations where

pharmaceutical products from P. edulis and P.

caerulea were marketed to falsify those of P. incarnata

[4]. Authentication of the Passiflora incarnata is now

based on methods such as HPLC, TLC and microscopy

[1].

Being so much appreciated worldwide for its

decor, although the environmental factors in Romania

are not totally favorable for the passifloraceae culture,

there are at least three cultivars of Passiflora caerulea

that resist under these conditions:

'Purple Haze' is a hybrid (P. caerulea x P.

amethystina) created by Cor Laurens. It is a very

vigorous liana, which is easily to grown, the flowers

are impressive, scented, white and purple, with purple

filaments. Sepals and petals are of a purple [28]. It

prefers to be placed in full sun and is resistant to low

temperatures up to -10 ° C. Flowering takes place from

June to October [33].

'Lavender Lady' is a cultivar that has high

vigor, is easy to cultivate and resists low temperatures

up to -3 ° C [28]. The plant prefers to be located in a

southern exposure area, in a moderately fertile but

well-drained soil. If temperatures fall below -7 ° C in

cold season, mulching is recommended. The flowers of

this cultivar are not fragrant, but display an almost

80

permanent flowering period if kept in sheltered areas.

As a rule, it blooms from May to October and from the

end of October to March. Its flowers open in the

morning and close early in the evening [32].

'Constance Elliot' is a cultivar whose white

and fragrant flowers impress easily. She was the

winner of the prestigious "Award of Garden Merit"

award by the Royal Horticultural Society for her

remarkable qualities [27]. At maturity it reaches the

length of 800 cm. He prefers to be placed in the sun

directly, but he also resists the semi-shade. Can be

grown on almost any type of soil, whether sandy, clays

or limestone, without having any special requirements

for its pH. The essential condition is that the soil is

well drained. It is very resistant to low temperatures, it

even supports -15 ° C provided the soil is free from

frost. It only blooms in the very warm period of the

year, from summer to early autumn, but its leaves are

eternally green [30].

Conclusions and recommendations

Passiflora species are particularly appreciated,

both for their sanogenic effects and for the decor they

create.

At present, phytomedics are being marketed in

Romania to treat insomnia or to induce sleep, to treat

mental tension, depression, irritability, or premenstrual

syndrome. Likewise, Passiflora teas and tinctures are

equally appreciated.

In order to follow the trend of the ornamental

plant market, it is recommended to cultivate special

hybrids to resist climatic conditions with lower

temperatures compared to the areas of origin, or to

invest in the improvement and acclimatization of the

species Passiflora caerulea in Romania. In this way it

is advisable to proceed with the Passiflora incarnata

because the potential of the market is a great one, and

the health problems of contemporary society are

closely related to the evolution and spread of stress,

anxiety and nervousness, for which people expect to

Receive phytomedical alternatives.

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