Passiflora foetida var. gossypiifolia – Cottonleaf Passionflower Maracuja

Description

A dainty vine with lobed leaves and pretty, white to pinkish flowers followed by bright red, small, edible and sweet fruit. Flowers and fruits are protected by strange, spiky and sticky bracts that can trap insects. The leaves emit a strong scent when crushed. Passiflora foetida var. gossypiifolia is widespread from Southern Mexico and the Cribbean to Peru in South America at low and moderate elevations. It is rare in cultivation but easy to grow in the tropics.