Sweet Granadilla Passiflora ligularis (F)

Names

• Synonyms

  Sweet Granadilla, Granadilla, Grenadia, Honey Passionfruit, Passionfruit, Conch Apple, Sugar Fruit.

• Common names

  Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, Tacsonia mollissima, Passiflora tripartita subsp. mollissima, Tacsonia sphaerocarpa, Tacsonia coccinea, Tacsonia nigra, Passiflora pittieri, Passiflora lindeniana, Tacsonia lindeniana, Passiflora tica, Passiflora mixta, Passiflora macrophylla, Passiflora durangina

Toxicity

• To humans

  Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as sweet granadilla, is not typically considered toxic to humans. In general, the fruit is edible and often consumed for its sweet taste. However, as with any food item, some individuals might be allergic to this fruit. If someone has an allergy to sweet granadilla, they may experience symptoms like itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. It is important to eat this fruit in moderation, as overconsumption of any fruit can lead to digestive discomfort. Moreover, the plant's leaves and unripe fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when metabolized. This can potentially lead to cyanide poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. However, such cases are rare, and this plant is generally regarded as a safe, edible species when the ripe fruit is eaten.

• To pets

  Passiflora ligularis, known as sweet granadilla, is not commonly toxic to pets. The ripe fruit of this plant is generally considered safe for animal consumption. However, it is essential to be cautious as the leaves and stems can contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. If a pet consumes a significant amount of the plant's leaves or stems, symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. It is advised to keep pets away from the non-fruit parts of the plant and to consult with a veterinarian if ingestion occurs and adverse symptoms are observed.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Evergreen

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  White

• Height

  10 feet (3 meters)

• Spread

  6 feet (1.8 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  9

• Native area

  Americas

General Benefits

• Nutritional Value: The fruit of Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as sweet granadilla, is rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to the diet.
• Culinary Uses: Sweet granadilla can be eaten fresh or used in desserts, salads, drinks, and jams, offering a variety of uses in cooking and gastronomy.
• Ornamental Plant: With its attractive flowers and climbing habit, Passiflora ligularis is often grown as an ornamental plant, enhancing garden aesthetics.
• Shade Provider: As a climbing vine, sweet granadilla can be used to create natural shade over pergolas or other garden structures.
• Pollinator Attraction: The flowers of Passiflora ligularis attract various pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
• Edible Landscaping: Sweet granadilla can be incorporated into edible landscaping, contributing both aesthetic appeal and edible fruits to the garden design.
• Economic Value: Sweet granadilla is commercially cultivated for its fruit, which has economic value in local and international markets.
• Cultural Significance: In many regions where it is grown, sweet granadilla has cultural importance and is used in traditional festive dishes and celebrations.

Medical Properties

• Traditional sedative: Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as sweet granadilla, has been used in traditional medicine as a sedative.
• Anxiety relief: The fruit is sometimes utilized for its potential calming effects, which may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
• Insomnia remedy: In folk medicine practices, sweet granadilla is often employed to aid sleep and manage insomnia.
• Antioxidant content: The fruit possesses antioxidants, which are believed to protect the body from oxidative stress and may support overall health.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• As a natural dye: The fruit juice of Passiflora ligularis, more commonly known as sweet granadilla, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a light greenish or yellowish hue.
• Hair conditioner: The pulp of sweet granadilla can be used as a natural hair conditioner to add moisture and shine to the hair.
• Flavor enhancer: The aromatic seeds and pulp can be used to enhance the flavor of desserts and beverages with its tropical essence.
• Garden ornamental: With its climbing nature and attractive flowers, sweet granadilla can be cultivated as an ornamental plant to add beauty to gardens and attract pollinators.
• Compost enrichment: The fruit peels and leftover pulp can be added to compost piles to enrich the nutrient content of the compost.
• Natural insect repellent: Some people believe that the leaves of sweet granadilla can be used as a natural insect repellent when crushed and placed around outdoor living areas.
• Educational tool: The complex structure of the plant's flowers can be used to teach about plant biology and pollination in educational settings.
• Traditional crafts: The dried seeds are sometimes used in creating jewelry or decorative items as part of local traditional crafts.
• Food presentation: The hollowed-out shell of the fruit can be used as an elegant, natural bowl for serving tropical salads or desserts.
• Bird feeder: After consuming the fruit, the empty shell can be filled with bird feed to attract and feed birds in your garden.

Feng Shui

The Sweet Granadilla is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Sweet Granadilla is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Passion: As a member of the Passiflora genus, the Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as the sweet granadilla, is often associated with the themes of the passion of Christ due to the resemblance of its parts to religious symbols like the crown of thorns and the crucifixion wounds.
• Spiritual Enlightenment: The complex structure of the sweet granadilla flower is frequently symbolic of mystery and the search for meaning, leading to it being linked to concepts of spirituality and enlightenment.
• Peace: The serene appearance and calming presence of the Passiflora ligularis can symbolize peace and tranquility, making it a common plant in gardens that are designed for meditation and relaxation.
• Exotic Beauty: The unique and striking appearance of the sweet granadilla suggests ideas of exotic beauty and allure, often representing the beauty found in diversity and the unusual.