Stinking Passionflower
ExplorePlants
Stinking Passionflower
passiflora foetida
The Stinking Passionflower is a fast-growing, creeping vine native to the tropical Americas but now widely naturalized across the globe. Known for the strong, unpleasant odor released when its foliage is bruised, this remarkable plant has adapted beautifully to disturbed habitats, roadsides, and forest edges. Its delicate, elaborate flowers are a marvel of evolutionary design, showcasing a complex arrangement of white-to-pale-purple petals and thread-like corona filaments.
Habitat: Typically found in disturbed areas, forest edges, dry fields, coastal scrub, and roadsides in tropical and subtropical regions.
Appearance
This climbing vine is easily identified by its alternate, three-lobed leaves covered in fine, sticky glandular hairs. The striking flowers, measuring 2 to 5 centimeters across, are cream-colored to pale pinkish-purple and are uniquely enveloped by a deeply divided, lace-like collar of sticky green bracts. As the flower matures, it produces a round, paper-wrapped berry that transitions from green to a vibrant yellow-orange or red when fully ripe.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyPassifloraceaeGenusPassiflora
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its lace-like bracts are covered in sticky glands that trap insects, making it a protocarnivorous plant, though scientists still debate if it fully digests them.
The ripe, sweet yellow-to-orange fruits are edible and eaten in many parts of the world, but the unripe green fruits are toxic due to cyanogenic glycosides.
The species name 'foetida' translates to 'stinking' in Latin, referencing the pungent aroma released when the foliage is touched.
Special abilities
Ability
Protocarnivorous Trapping
It utilizes sticky, glandular hairs on its lacy bracts to trap small insects, which may deter pests or provide supplemental nutrients.
Ability
Chemical Defense
Its leaves emit a foul, musty odor and contain cyanogenic glycosides that deter herbivorous mammals and insects from feeding.
Ability
Sensory Climbing Tendrils
Highly sensitive axillary tendrils wrap around nearby structures upon touch, allowing the vine to quickly climb and secure sunlight.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 150-500 cm
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Incubation
- 14-30 days
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight while supplementing nutrients by trapping small insects.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Foraging Method
- Passive Trapping
Ecological connections
eaten by
Tawny Coster
Acraea terpsicore
Caterpillars feed on the foliage, utilizing the plant's toxins for their own chemical defense.
host plant
Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae
Caterpillars use this vine as a primary host plant, feeding heavily on the leaves.
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, acting as key pollinators.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
Passiflora lanuginosaStinking Passionflowerscarletfruit passionflower
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Stinking Passionflower?
The easiest way to identify Stinking Passionflower is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Stinking Passionflower?
150-500 cm
How long does Stinking Passionflower live?
2-5 years
What does Stinking Passionflower eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it synthesizes its own food using sunlight while supplementing nutrients by trapping small insects.
Where is Stinking Passionflower usually found?
Typically found in disturbed areas, forest edges, dry fields, coastal scrub, and roadsides in tropical and subtropical regions.
How does Stinking Passionflower hunt?
Passive Trapping
How long do Stinking Passionflower eggs take to hatch?
14-30 days
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