Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa

The Yellow Passion Fruit or Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa produces the fruit called maracuja or yellow passion fruit. It is distinguished from Passiflora edulis f.edulis with its deep purple fruits simply called grenadilles or passion fruits. This semi-woody climber, although offering ornamental qualities, is mainly cultivated for its edible fruits with orange, gelatinous and sweet pulp, very rich in vitamins A and C.

It is sensitive to temperatures below 0°C, so it is best to grow it in a container to enjoy it. This botanical species produces fragrant white flowers in summer, which give way to large ovoid yellow-green fruits, slightly more acidic than the purple fruits. This passion flower requires well-drained, not too dry soil that is not too wet in winter and heat in summer to flower.

Mostly native to tropical areas of South America, passion flowers belong to the large family of Passifloraceae, which includes 400 species and numerous spontaneous or horticultural hybrids. Passiflora edulis f.flavicarpa is a botanical species native to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and Paraguay.

The yellow passion fruit is a very vigorous climbing plant that clings to its support with tendrils, reaching an average height of 4 m with a spread of up to 10 m! It is characterised by its semi-woody stems adorned with evergreen, 20 cm long, bright green and shiny leaves, divided into 3 thick, egg-shaped lobes with toothed margins. It flowers all summer with flowers measuring an average of 7 cm in diameter that constantly renew themselves on the plant. They are solitary, pleasantly fragrant and formed by white tepals topped with a crown of white filaments, purple at their base. The flowers of this self-sterile variety require cross-pollination, and therefore the presence of another passion flower nearby to produce its fruits. The egg-shaped, 5 to 8 cm diameter fruits, have a sweet and tangy flavour, emitting a delicious exotic fragrance. They should be harvested when the skin is slightly wrinkled at the end of summer, from August to October. The juicy and gelatinous pulp (aril) contains numerous black seeds.

Passion fruits can be eaten raw, in juice, ice cream, mousse, fruit salads, or simply on their own, cut in half and enjoyed with a spoon. They are renowned for their numerous virtues: antioxidant, rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, fibre, and flavonoids.