Passiflora miniata aka Red Granadilla

Passiflora miniata also goes by the name red granadilla. It belongs to the passionflower family, Passifloraceae. Its native range runs from western South America to west-central Brazil. Records list Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. It grows in wet parts of the tropics. These include clearings in rainforests and gaps along forest roads and tracks. There, it climbs over shrubs and large trees. Growers have long confused it with Passiflora coccinea. They have used that name for this species in gardens. Yet the two are distinct species.

This vine grows strongly, makes long stems, and can form thickets. One source gives a height of about 39 feet [12 metres]. It also lists stems up to 49 feet [15 metres]. These sizes refer to height and stem length, not garden spread. The plant has a network of fine, fibrous roots. Harm to large roots near the soil surface can spur strong shoots. These shoots help the vine form dense patches. Once well rooted, vines grow back fast when cut down. This matters where growers must cut a large vine back often.

Gardeners grow it mainly for its large red flowers. The species account says it can bloom all year. Hummingbirds help the flowers set seed by moving pollen. The fruit is round or nearly round. Each fruit is about 0.15–0.21 feet [0.045–0.065 metres] across. Its skin has dark green, pale green, and cream marks. These colours divide the fruit into six clear sections. Juicy arils, which are seed coverings, surround the seeds inside. They are clear white or yellow. They have a sweet taste and scent.

People pick fruit from wild plants for local food use. People also grow the vine for its red blooms. Its rainforest home links it with warm, wet conditions. The sources give no frost limit for this species. They give no hardiness zone for it either. Their broad care advice covers the genus, not this species alone. It gives no exact light, soil, or watering needs here.

The species account names no pests or diseases. It also lists no known hazards. This does not mean that all plant parts are safe. The food use on record concerns the fruit. The sources give no use of this species as medicine.