Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Passiebloem

Family: Passifloraceae (Passion-flower)

Distribution: Brazil, Argentina

Life form: Climber

Comments: The exotic South-American passionflower has over time become so familiar to us that it is now a very well-known houseplant. Sometimes this climber is planted against a garden wall, which is possible as long as the plant is helped by means of a trellis or mesh providing support to the corkscrew-shaped tendrils. Passionflowers have long, green, angular stems and palmate compound leaves; the beautiful blue flowers of this species are abundant, but each flower lasts only one day. A well-tended plant often has a huge number of flower buds, so it keeps surprising you with new flowers throughout summer. There are around 300 species of this herbaceous climber, only a few of which have been introduced to Europe. Nowadays beautiful passionflowers are sold with red, pink and purple flowers and with big or small flowers. However, most of these are not hardy and need to be wintered in a warmer place.