PASSIFLORACEAE - Passion Flower Family
Herbaceous or woody vines,
climbing by tendrils
Leaves alternate, entire or lobed
Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic
in a variety of infls., corona
present and borne on hypanthium - consists of one or more rows of
filaments or scales
Styles with a capitate, clavate,
or discoid stigma
Filaments connate into a tube around ovary, anthers
versatile
16 genera, 400 species, largest genus is Passiflora
Economic uses: ornamentals, sweeteners, tranquilizer, some are edible
but others produce cyanide
Medicinal uses - roots topically for boils and inflammation, taken
internally as a sedative