Passiflora caerulea Seeds

Description

Passiflora caerulea is a flowering deciduous or semi-evergreen tendril vine that can reach lengths of over 33 feet.  This species is native to Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil.  Passiflora caerulea produces nearly 4 inch blue-white flowers that are quite fragrant.  This is where Passiflora caerulea gets its common name Blue Passionflower, Bluecrown Passionflower, or Common Passion Flower.

Passiflora caerulea is commonly cultivated as a wall-climber or as ground cover.  In a tropical environment, Blue Passionflower will flower all year round.  In milder temperate areas, this species can become invasive.  However, Passiflora caerulea has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Passiflora caerulea does produce 2 inch diameter fruit that are edible, but they taste quite bland.  Some people have made tea from Passiflora caerulea flowers in order to relieve stress and anxiety.  The leaves of the plant contain tetraphyllin B, epi-tetraphyllin B, and cyanogenic glycosides.  It may be possible to boil away most of the cyanide from the leaves of Passiflora caerulea.