Passiflora x alato-caerulea

This hybrid passionflower demonstrates the beautiful flower complexity common to the Passiflora genus, with a pleasant perfume as well.

Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Passiflora
Cross: x alato-caerulea

Passiflora-alato-caerulea-side-view

Natural habitat and growing conditions:

Passiflora has a pantropical distribution, native to all continents except Africa and Antarctica. Most species (and this cross) are vines, climbing up other plants for support, and perform best in bright light. This hybrid will bloom continuously when given very bright light, warm temperatures and heavy feeding.

Notes of interest:

  • Many Passiflora have glands on the leaf stalks (petioles) that exude a nutritious sugary substance to attract ants. Ants then defend the vine from predators to protect their food source.
  • If the flower is pollinated, passionfruit will form.