Passiflora as a Multipurpose Fruit Crop for Temperate Climates Eric T. Stafne Fruit Extension Specialist Mississippi State Univeristy Outline I. History II. Geography III. Breeding IV. Potential uses V. Future “The Flower of the Five Wounds” The healthy, fortunate granadilla, Granadilla of which but by religious devotion It is said that one can see the expression of our redemption And its sacred mysteries, made visible in this plant, In its fruit, in its leaves, in its excellent flower, Of our Redeemer who died for all Column, Cross and Whip, Lance, Crown and Nail. Paul Contant (1628) Style (nails) Stamen (wounds) Floral Corona (crown of thorns) Petals and Sepals (Lances Tendrils or Apostles) (whips) Androgynophore (column or cross) – not shown I. History • Archaeological evidence (S.E. U.S.) of consumption • Important food crop for Native Americans since Late Archaic period • Increase consumption over time History • Algonkian (Virginia) and Creek (Florida) • May have been domesticated • Europeans also consumed P. incarnata Early Description Here is a fruit by the natives called a Maracock that grows low and creeps in a manner among the corn. It is of the size of a Queen-apple, and has many blue kernels, like a Pomegranate. It blooms a most sweet and delicate flower and is a good summer cooling fruit. And in every field where the Indians plant their corn there are cart-loads of them. Strachey (1612) II. Geography • South America • Mississippi • Florida Native Areas • South America (95%) • Asia • Australia • North America South America • Native range, Brazil • Andean region • Passiflora edulis • P. edulis var. flavicarpa • Other species (P. caerulea, P. antioquiensis, P. mollissima) Distribution of Passiflora in the United States SE U.S. Mississippi • Passiflora incarnata • P. lutea • Survives winter below ground • Herbaceous perennial P. incarnata distribution in Mississippi Florida • Many native species (P. incarnata, P. lutea, P. multiflora, P. pallens, P. sexflora, and P. suberosa) • R. J. Knight • ‘Byron Beauty’ III. Breeding • Breeding potential • Fruit production • Ornamental traits • Phamacological properties • Obstacles • Progress Breeding Potential • Sufficient genetic variation • Wide geographic range • Large flowers (controlled pollinations) • Short life cycle • Asexual propagation • Genetic engineering Fruit Production • Native and Non-native fruit • R. J. Knight – University of Florida, Homestead • Interspecific crosses • P. incarnata potential, P. lutea not • Introduction of temperate climate genotypes Commercial Species • P. edulis – Granadilla or The Purple Passion Fruit • P. edulis var. flavicarpa • P. quadrangularis – The Giant Granadilla • P. ligularis – The Sweet Granadilla • P. laurifolia – The Water Lemon • P. mollissima – The Banana Passion Fruit More Edible Species • P. actinia • P. membranacea • P. alata • P. mixta • P. ambigua • P. nitidia • P. coccinea • P. quadrangularis • P. laurifolia • P. spectabilis • P. ligularis • P. vitifolia • P. maliformis • P. manicata Interspecific Hybridization • Common chromosome number • Induction of polyploidy • May require hand pollination • Overwinter in Georgia • No commercial success Passiflora edulis Passiflora incarnata P. incarnata fruit P. edulis and P. edulis var. flavicarpa fruit Ornamental Traits • Interspecific hybrids – ‘Byron Beauty’ – ‘Lady Margaret’ – ‘Red Inca’ – ‘Incense’ • White-flowered genotypes • Attractant • Cold Tolerance ‘Byron Beauty’ ‘Lady Margaret’ ‘Red Inca’ ‘Incense’ White-flowered P. incarnata P. caerulea Pharmacological Properties • Sedative • Antispasmodic (in Europe) • P. edulis not same effect as P. incarnata • P. lutea unknown • Antioxidants (P. lutea pigmentation) Obstacles • Self incompatibility • Pollen sterility • Weediness • Cost • Interest Progress • Small breeding efforts • Private breeders • Interspecific ornamental hybrids • Promising fruit hybrids IV. Potential Uses • Economic fruit crop (Fresh and/or juice) • Herbal remedy • Butterfly, bee, hummingbird • Home beautification and enhancement V. Future Work • Expansion of growing area • Interspecific hybridization • Compatibility issues • Pharmaceutical products • Antioxidant activity • Cultural and management strategies Pertinent Literature • Gremillion, K.J. 1989. The development of a mutualistic relationship between humans and maypops in the southeastern United States. J. Ethnobiol. 9:135-155. • Hoch, J.H. 1934. The legend and history of Passiflora. Am. J. Pharm. 106:166-170. • McGuire, C.M. 1999. Passiflora incarnata: A new fruit crop. Econ. Bot. 53:161-176. • Vanderplank, J. 2000. Passion Flowers. 3rd Ed., MIT Press. • Winters, H.F. and R.J. Knight, Jr. 1975. Selecting and breeding hardy passionflowers. Amer. Hort. 54:22-27. .