''Passiflora mixta'', from the family

Passifloraceae The Passifloraceae are a family of flowering plants, containing about 750 species classified in around 27 genera. They include trees, shrubs, lianas, and climbing plants, and are mostly found in tropical regions. The family takes its name from ...

is also known as ''curuba'', ''curuba de indio'', ''curuba de monte'', ''curubita'', ''curuba'' (Colombia), ''parcha'' (Venezuela), and ''taxo'' (Ecuador). Originally, it derived from the monophyletic ''Passiflora'' subgenus ''Tacsonia''. ''Passiflora mixta'' is endemic to the Americas. A perennial vine, the ''Passiflora mixta'' is pink to orange-red in color.

Description

''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 nector chamber. At , ''Passiflora mixta'' has a

hypanthium In angiosperms, a hypanthium or floral cup is a structure where basal portions of the calyx, the corolla, and the stamens form a cup-shaped tube. It is sometimes called a floral tube, a term that is also used for corolla tube and calyx tube. It ...

(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.

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 (), 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,

Pollination

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''.

Distribution

* Ranges from Venezuela to Bolivia * Naturalized in Africa and New Zealand * Restricted to the highland between 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

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3448217 mixta Flora of South America Plants described in 1782