Passiflora multiflora

Stems terete, becoming coarsely fluted when old, densely hairy. Leaves not pungent, densely soft-hairy; stipules linear-setaceous, 3–5 × 0.5 mm, eglandular; petiole glandular, glands small, emergent protuberances; blade roughly symmetric, 4–10(–13) × 1.5–4(–6) cm, unlobed to rarely obscurely 3–5-lobed, middle lobe much longer than lateral lobes, margins entire; abaxial fine veins prominently raised, abaxial nectaries absent or sometimes present near leaf margins. Floral bracts obscure, ovate-lanceolate, 1–2 × 0.5–1 mm, margins entire, eglandular. Flowers: floral tube absent; sepals green-white, 5–6 × 2–3 mm; petals white, 4–5 × 1–1.5 mm; corona filament whorls 2, outer filaments white basally, yellow apically, filiform, terete, clavate, 3–5 mm. Berries dark blue, globose, 5–8 × 5–8 mm.

Phenology: Flowering Nov–Mar.
Habitat: Tropical woodlands primarily over coral-reef limestone, 0–10 m

Fla., West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico).

Discussion

Passiflora multiflora can produce hundreds to thousands of flowers at once, often in several fragrant flushes per season. It has perhaps the smallest flowers of any passionflower, and the androgynophore is nearly absent. A glabrous form of this otherwise densely hairy species has been collected outside the flora area.

Passiflora miniata Vanderplank (often misidentified as P. coccinea Aublet) will key to P. multiflora based upon superficial similarity of their leaves. However, P. miniata has serrated leaf margins and large, red flowers.

Passiflora multiflora is listed as endangered in Florida.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa