Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit)

Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) orange fruit close up against a blue surface
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) sliced open to reveal moist orange pulp and small dark seeds.

Botanical names: Passiflora mollissima, Passiflora tarminania

Common names: Banana Passionfruit, Taxo, Curuba

Family: Passifloraceae

Origin: South America

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 8-10

Plant type: Fruit or edible
Fruit type: Fruit or edible
Vine or creeper plantPlant form: Climbing or creeping vine
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Regular; moderate
Pink flowersWhite, off-white flowersBlue, lavender, purple flowersFlower color: Pink; white and off-white; blue, lavender, purple
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

The fruit looks somewhat like a straight, small banana with rounded ends. It was given this name in New Zealand, where passionfruit are also prevalent. In Hawaii, it is called banana poka. In its Latin American homeland, it is known as curuba, curuba de Castilla, or curuba sabanera blanca Vines with cylindrical stems densely coated with yellow hairs, and are vigorous climbers, growing up to seven metres. The leaves are a shiny green with clearly defined veins, the flower is large, pink and green petalled with a yellow and white centre. The fruit is yellow-orange when ripe and contains a sweet edible orange-colored pulp with black seeds.

Similar plants: Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit)

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Image gallery: 8 images
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) green and yellow fruit on a plate, close up.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) with oblong fruit resting on a plate for observation.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) pink flower close up on green vine leaves
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) pink flower with long tube and green jagged leaves nearby.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) pink flower close up on green vine in sunlight
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) with pink petals and a long green tubular stem held by hand.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) yellow orange fruit close up pile on newspaper surface
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) orange yellow oval fruit piled upon a newspaper surface.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) yellow fruit close up with juicy orange pulp on a plate.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) yellow fruit split open on a plate with sticky orange pulp.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) orange fruit halves on a plate, close up.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) split into two halves, revealing orange flesh and dark seeds.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) yellow fruit close up on a plate with orange pulp.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) with elongated yellow fruit and exposed orange juicy pulp on a plate.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) yellow fruit close up on a plate.
Passiflora mollissima (Banana Passionfruit) orange-yellow fruit sitting on a plate.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/passiflora_mollissima.htm
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