Passion Flower or Passiflora, Malaysia, South East Asia
Passion Flower got its name from descriptions of its flower parts supplied by priests in the 'New Spain'. (South America) These were interpreted in 1609, by Jacomo Bosio in Rome, as representing various elements of the Crucifixion, five petals and five sepals (the ten disciples, minus Judas & Peter); outer fringe (the crown of thorns); five stamens (number of wounds Christ received) & knob-like stigmas of the pistil (the nails). This symbolism is not universal however, in Japan it is known as 'The Clock Plant'. Passiflora were introduced to Europe from South America in the Eighteenth Century, principally by the Spanish, & can now be found in many parts of the world including Africa, Asia, Australia & North America. Most Passiflora are vines thought to have originated in either the cooler mountains or the much hotter tropical rain forest. To survive & reproduce in these very competitive environments many species grow quickly using their tendrils to climb up trees (a very few have adapted becoming trees themselves) to reach the forest canopy & full sun, at which time the trailing stems begin to flower. To attract pollinators, such as bees, moths, butterflies & other insects, bats & hummingbirds to them rather than to other plants, Passiflora have evolved a wide variety (made wider by our man made hybrids) of stunning colourful flowers, often perfumed, with additional sweet nectar glands on leaves, petioles & sometimes bracts. In addition the fruits, which must be eaten to spread the plant over a wide area, contain a juice with a unique aromatic taste & smell. Popular with the Victorians in UK, Passiflora became less fashionable in the early Twentieth Century, but now there is worldwide interest in them both as a commercial crop with new varieties being introduced & as an exotic decorative addition to gardens, conservatories & greenhouses. In addition P. incarnata is used by herbalists as a mild sedative & there may be further medicinal uses of other species.
Size: 6016px × 4000px
Location: Malaysia
Photo credit: © Bare Essence Photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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