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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Foetid Passion Flower
| image = P.foetida.bloom.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Passiflora foetida'' flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Passifloraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Passiflora]]''
| species = '''''P. foetida'''''
| binomial = ''Passiflora foetida''
| binomial_authority = L.
| synonyms =
''Dysosmia ciliata'' <small>M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia fluminensis'' <small>M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia foetida'' <small>(L.) M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia gossypifolia'' <small>(Desv. ex Ham.) M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia hastata'' <small>(Bertol.) M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia hibiscifolia'' <small>(Lam.) M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Dysosmia nigelliflora'' <small>(Hook.)M.Roem.</small><br/>
''Granadilla foetida'' <small>(L.) Gaertn.</small><br/>
''Passiflora baraquiniana'' <small>Lem.</small><br/>
''Passiflora ciliata'' <small>Dryand.</small><br/>
}}

The '''Foetid Passion Flower''' or '''Stinking Passion Flower''' (''Passiflora foetida''), also known as the '''Wild Maracuja''' or '''Running Pop''', is a creeping [[vine]] which has an edible [[passion fruit|fruit]] and [[Leaf|leaves]] that have a mildly rank aroma. It is native to northern [[South America]] and the [[West Indies]]; it can also be found in South East Asian countries like [[Vietnam]] and on [[Hawaii]].

[[Image:P.foetida.leaves.jpg|thumb|left|''Passiflora foetida'' leaves]]
The stems are thin, wiry and woody, covered with sticky yellow hairs. The [[leaf|leaves]] are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. They give off an unpleasant odour when crushed. The [[flower]]s are white to pale cream coloured, about 5-6 cm diameter. The [[fruit]] is globose, 2-3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black [[seed]]s embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by [[bird]]s.

The bracts of this plant serve as [[insect]] traps, but it is as yet unknown whether the plant digests and gains nourishment from the trapped insects or if it merely uses the bracts as a defensive mechanism to protect its flowers and fruit. This is still an issue of debate and research among [[carnivorous plant]] enthusiasts.

This passion flower tolerates [[arid]] ground, but favours wet areas. It is known to be an [[invasive species]] in some areas.

* Uses
The fruits are kumquat sized with a thin, scarlet red shell surrounding a blush-white pulp, mildly sweet, delicately flavored. Young leaves and plant tips are edible. Dry leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems.

<gallery>
Image:P.foetida.climb.jpg|''Passiflora foetida'': climbing tendril
Image:P_foetida_fruit.jpg|Fruits
Image:P_foetida_flower.jpg|Flower
</gallery>
<gallery>
Image:P_foetida_bracts.jpg|Bracts
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Commons|Passiflora foetida}}
* [http://medind.nic.in/imvw/imvw14993.html Defence and Carnivory: dual role of bracts in ''Passiflora foetida''] abstract from ''Journal of Biosciences'' 20(5): 657-664, December 1995.
* [[List of plants of Caatinga vegetation of Brazil]]


{{CarnivorousPlants}}

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