Passiflora nitida

Passiflora nitida

Family: Passifloraceae

Common names: Bell Apple

It is a very vigorous climbing plant with a perennial rootstock. It produces annual to perennial stems from 8 – 15 metres long that scramble over the ground or clamber into other plants, supporting themselves by means of tendrils. In dense forest it climbs into the canopies of trees, only flowering when it reaches the light. The thick-skinned fruit has a juicy pulp with a sweet flavour.

Sowing instructions: Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours in warm water and germination time can be reduced if the seed is then mixed with the juice of a fresh passion fruit (of any species). Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 – 24°c. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: November 2024