Passifloraceae

Passion plants (genus Passiflora, family Passifloraceae) have stunning, brightly colored flowers. The size and structure of the flower is optimized for pollination by hummingbirds. The species Passiflora edulis (not shown here) is cultivated throughout the tropics for its sweet and juicy fruit.

This genus includes about 500 species and is mostly tropical in distribution. Passiflora vines are most diverse in South America, but can also be found in Asia, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

Wild Passiflora plants have several interesting strategies for deterring herbivores. The leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides and other secondary compounds that are toxic for most animals. Some insects, most notably caterpillars of the butterfly genus Heliconius, are adapted to feed on Passiflora. To deter Heliconius females from laying eggs on the plant, some Passiflora vines have pale spots on their leaves that mimic butterfly eggs. Because it is disadvantageous for their offspring to compete with other caterpillars for food, Heliconius females will avoid leaves that appear to have eggs on them. Passiflora also use extrafloral nectaries to attract ants and parasitoids that prey on Heliconius caterpillars.