Passiflora tetrandra aka Khia

Passiflora tetrandra is a climbing plant native to New Zealand. It belongs to the passionflower family, Passifloraceae. Kew lists its climate as subtropical. Its wild habitat includes lowland forest and extends into mountain forest. It grows on both the North and South Islands. Its range reaches south to about 44 degrees south. This forest setting gives context for its use in woodland gardens.

The plant can climb to about 30 feet [9 metres]. Plants For A Future suggests a sunny woodland edge for planting. It also lists sites beside south-facing or west-facing walls. The species can grow in full sun or light shade. These choices allow some scope when finding a garden site. The supplied sources give no species-level details about its leaves or bark. They also give no flower colour or flowering season.

Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. A single plant cannot fertilise itself. Grow both sexes if you need seed. Plants For A Future lists the fruit as edible. It also records edible gum from the stem. Its food-use score is low, at one out of five. The source reports no known hazards, but gives no detailed safety assessment. It records no known medicinal uses. Seeds provide a scented oil used on the body. The plant also has a recorded use as a slow-burning match.

For cultivation, the species entry lists a preference for moist soil. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Listed soil reactions range from mildly acid through neutral to mildly alkaline. British hardiness remains uncertain in the source. Its suggestion of outdoor success in mild areas is an estimate. Much of its further care advice comes from the genus, not this species. No firm hardiness zone follows from that evidence. The supplied material names no pests or diseases for this species.

Plants For A Future describes propagation from seed and young shoots. It recommends soaking seed in warm water for 12 hours before sowing. Sow in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring. Germination may take one to twelve months at 20°C. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Its propagation notes also list spring cuttings from young shoots.