PASSIFLORA FOETIDA SEEDS BUSH PASSION FRUIT EDIBLE FRUIT IN PORT ELIZABETH

Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants, the namesakes of the family Passifloraceae. They are mostly vines, with some being shrubs, and a few species being herbaceous. A number of species of Passiflora are cultivated outside their natural range for their beautiful flowers and delicious edible fruit. Hundreds of hybrids have been named; hybridizing is currently being done extensively for flowers, foliage and fruit. Most species have round or elongated edible fruit from 5cm to 20cm long and 2.5cm to 5cm across, depending upon the species or cultivar.         Passiflora will adjust to any kind of soil, except desert conditions or very alkaline soil. Prefers full sun but will do with a light place or even half-shade. Passiflora need abundant watering during the growing season. In winter watering can significantly be reduced but good soil moisture must be maintained. Passiflora foetida commonly known as Wild Maracuja or Bush Passion Fruit is a species of passion flower that is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. It is a creeping vine like other members of the genus, and yields an edible fruit. The fruits are roughly the size of a ping pong ball, or kumquat, and contain a bluish-white pulp that is mildly sweet and delicately flavored. In the Philippines, the fruit of Passiflora foetida are known colloquially as marya-marya and santo papa. Young leaves and plant tips are also edible. Dry leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems. Passiflora foetida contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents.