Passiflora mixta, from the family Passifloraceae is also known as curuba, curuba de indio, curuba de monte, curubita, curuba (Colombia), parcha (Venezuela), and taxo (Ecuador). Originally, it derived from the monophyleticPassiflora subgenus Tacsonia. Passiflora mixta is endemic to the Americas. A perennial vine, the Passiflora mixta is pink to orange-red in color.[1]
Passiflora mixta can be identified by large pink flowers, trilobate coricaeous leaves, that are tubular in shape that protrude from its branches. It has a hairy elongated bract and hypanthum that contain a narrow nectar chamber. At 7–15 cm long (2.8–5.9 in), Passiflora mixta has a hypanthium (otherwise known as the flower tube) with a base that contains nectar. Also found in P. mixta, are ovaries, anthers and stigmas. These reproductive organs are located anterior to the hypanthium near the androgynophore. This species is capable of producing fruits and flowers that remain open for 3 to 5 days by producing half-pendant, horizontal, or erect flowers.
Status:
Wild plant, collected, important genetic resource for banana passionfruit breeding.
[2]
Morphology
Stem- Sub 5-angular
Leaf Pubescence- Not present on the upper surface; however, missing to seldom dense on the lower surface
Stipules- Moderate to big in size, 6–20 mm in length, 12–30 mm wide (0.47–1.18 in), reniform, dentate or serrate, persistent
Peduncle- robust, length varies. Produces half-pendent, horizontal, or erect flowers.
Bracts- Joined 1/2 their length or beyond
Corolla Color- Pale pink to intense red
Corolla Shape- Corolla campanulate
Floral Tube/Sepal Ratio- 1.6-2.6
Nectary Chamber- Slightly broader than the floral tube
Fruits- At maturity, the pericarp often appears green, occasionally turning yellow; arils scarce and grey to orange in color,
This species of Passiflora is pollinated by the Sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), which is the only living species in the genus Ensifera. This bird is found throughout the northern Andes and is identified by its extremely large beak that is longer than the size of its entire body. They are pollinators of the passionflower, which contains nectar at the bottom of the long corolla tube that belongs to the P. mixta.
[4]
Distribution
Ranges from Venezuela to Bolivia
Naturalized in Africa and New Zealand
Restricted to the highland between 1,700 and 3,700 m (5,600 and 12,100 ft) asl.
Can withstand disturbances and is more prominent in dryer environment and lower altitudes compared to other species of subgenus Tacsonia
Grows along the edges of forests and along the margins
