[Introduction]
Passiflora coccinea Sol. ex Benth., also known as Red Passionflower, is a perennial evergreen vine in the Passifloraceae family. It can grow up to several meters long, with tendrils on the stems. Its leaves are alternate, elongated-ovate, with blunt teeth along the edges. The flowers are solitary and very unique in shape, with multiple layers; the petals are lanceolate and red in color; the corona filaments are thread-like, with the outer ring being purple-brown and scattered with white spots, and the inner two rings being slightly shorter and white. The fruit is ovoid in shape.
[Botanical History]
Passiflora coccinea Sol. ex Benth., also known as Red Passionflower, is a perennial evergreen vine in the Passifloraceae family. It can grow up to several meters long, with tendrils on the stems. Its leaves are alternate, elongated-ovate, with blunt teeth along the edges. The flowers are solitary and very unique in shape, with multiple layers; the petals are lanceolate and red in color; the corona filaments are thread-like, with the outer ring being purple-brown and scattered with white spots, and the inner two rings being slightly shorter and white. The fruit is ovoid in shape. It blooms in autumn and winter. Originally from Guyana, its beautiful flowers make it an excellent plant for vertical greening, suitable for use in arbors, trellises, fences, and adding brilliance to the surroundings.
[Morphological Characteristics]
Passiflora coccinea Sol. ex Benth., a perennial evergreen vine in the Passifloraceae family, has tendrils on the stems. Its leaves are alternate, elongated-ovate, with blunt teeth along the edges. The flowers are large and have a unique shape, radiating layers and vibrant colors. The bracts have glands, the petals are lanceolate and red in color, and the corona filaments are thread-like, with the outer ring being purple-brown and scattered with white spots, and the inner two rings being slightly shorter and white. The fruit is ovoid in shape. It blooms in autumn and winter.
[Growing Environment]
Red Passionflower is native to countries such as Nicaragua and Peru in South America and thrives in warm and humid environments.
[Distribution Range]
Red Passionflower is native to countries such as Nicaragua and Peru in South America. It has strong adaptability and can be transplanted to regions in southern China.
[Cultivation Techniques]
The Red Passionflower, originally from South America, has been growing in the greenhouse of the South China Botanical Garden for nearly three years. It blooms continuously every year, with slender vines covered in flower buds that blossom into bright red flowers. The flowers are radiate in shape, with a strong sense of hierarchy. This year, for the first time after the National Day holiday, the Red Passionflower has produced two small fruits. These small fruits, adorned with the plants, add a touch of cuteness. The fruits are currently about the size of three Chinese hawthorns, round in shape, and have a color similar to small pumpkins, with a fresh and shiny green appearance.
[Main Value]
The Red Passionflower is an excellent vine plant for ornamental purposes. It has good climbing and light-penetrating properties, beautiful flowers, a long flowering period, and uniform plant growth, requiring no manual pruning. It is suitable for planting in parks and courtyards in the subtropical regions of South Asia. It is an excellent plant for vertical greening and can be used to beautify arbors, trellises, fences, and hedges.
[Conservation Status]
Currently, there is no data indicating that this species requires conservation efforts.
[Plant Culture]
When it comes to passionflowers, most people think of the edible fruit, passion fruit. However, in the cold winter days, in the South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the relative of the passion fruit, the Red Passionflower, is showcasing its winter charm with its radiant red flowers. The exuberant flowers bloom under the long pergola, making it impossible to resist counting how many different colors can be found on each flower.
