Common Name: Locosti

General Information

Passiflora umbilicata is an evergreen climbing shrub, producing stems up to 5 metres long[]. These stems scramble over the ground, or clamber into the surrounding vegetation, supporting themselves by means of coiling tendrils.
The fruit is gathered from the wild for local use, and the plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-western S. America - Argentina and Bolivia

Habitat

Grows in the mountains; at elevations from 2,500 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Passiflora umbilicata succeeds in cooler climates than most members of this genus, growing in warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas as well as the subtropics and at moderate elevations in the tropics[]. Whilst top growth will be killed back by winter cold in all but the mildest of winters in the temperate zone, the roots - especially if well mulched - will tolerate considerably lower temperatures and can produce new growth in early summer[]. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[].
Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun[]. Prefers a circumneutral soil, disliking very acid or very alkaline conditions[]. Passiflora species tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility[].
Roots of outdoor grown plants in the temperate zone should be restricted in order to encourage fruiting[].
The flowers open in sunny weather and do not open on dull cloudy days[]. If fruit is required, especially when the plant is grown indoors, it is best to hand pollinate using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday[, ].
A very fast growing plant, it is often grown as an ornamental[].
Fruit is seldom, if ever, produced in Britain[].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten. The yellowish, ovoid fruit is around 60 - 70mm long and 40mm wide[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves and roots of some, if not all, members of this genus contain a substance called 'passiflorina' which has similaritiesr to morphine and is an effective tranquilizer[]. We have no specific information for this species but many species are used in herbal infusions to calm the nerves and help bring about a restful sleep[].
The leaves of many species are also considered to be anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, cutaneous inflammations, and erysipelas[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold.
Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring[].
Leaf bud cuttings in spring.
Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage[].