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Project Noah Nature School
Passiflora foetida
Proto-carnivorous creeping vine with flowers that have the distinctive Passionflower shape. Slightly smaller than the coloured garden varieties. Petals are white. The seed coverings are somewhat spinous...spines look soft. The species epithet foetida, means "stinking" in Latin and refers to the stink emitted if the leaves are crushed.The stems are thin and covered with minute sticky hairs. Fruits are reported to be edible.
Growing wild up a wall. Abandoned plot of land. Residential area otherwise. (last photo)
Interestingly, the bracts give out an enzymatic, sticky fluid that traps insects. Although this traps insects it is not know if this plant is truly insectivorous or not. That is why it is considered a Proto-carnivorous plant meaning it is almost (but maybe not quite there as yet!) an insectivorous plant. Some use as traditional medicine is reported. Third photo deserves a closer look says this report:http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2018/11/26/a-passionflower-with-a-taste-for-insects
Spotted on Mar 18, 2019
Submitted on Mar 18, 2019
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