I may have touched on this incredible plant in one of photography posts and in the papa-peppers guide to plant propagation series, but I think that it deserves its own mention as a wild edible. I find the vine, the flower, and the fruit to all be remarkable.

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IDENTIFICATION

Once you know what you are looking for, Passionfruit can be an easy plant to identify. The only thing that I have really ever encountered that actually looks really similar is the GAC fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis). GAC fruit is an interesting and incredible fruiting vine from southern Asia that I am currently growing a couple of. (Perhaps I’ll share more about that later.)

Passionfruit is a vining plant that has incredibly beautiful and intricate flowers. Often, they are grown just for the flowers, but I also enjoy the edible fruit as a delicious by-product. Check out the variety of these Passionflowers around here.

I’m not sure of the exact variety of these, but they are similar to the Purple Passionfruit, though the fruit of these appear to stay green when ripe.

The flowers are the easiest way to identify them. Once they have all turned into fruit, always check the leaf pattern and cut open a fruit for inspection prior to ingestion. A local wild edible expert is always your best bet.

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USES

The plant itself is often just used as an ornamental plant. However, many do appreciate the fruit. In some places, the fruit is even grown commercially, and depending on where you live, you may be able to find it at local stores or markets when it is in season. The varieties vary, so they come in many shapes and sizes.

I think they look somewhat similar to a Kiwano on the inside. When the Passionfruit is fully mature, the seeds will turn brown, instead of the white like the ones pictured. As a food, most will either just eat it raw as a fruit, or use the slippery seeds in their little gel-packs to add to beverages. Some will use them in desserts and salads too. In many tropical areas around the world, various creative ways of utilizing this food have been created and enjoyed. I'm sure we will be experimenting with some fun options moving forward.

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NUTRITION

Since there are so many varieties of Passionfruit, exact information varies. The following is provided as some general information. Passionfruit provides a wide variety of minerals and vitamins, with Vitamin A standing out above the rest. Iron, Potassium, Vitamin C and Copper are also included in the nutritional mix offered within this delicious fruit.

When it comes to tasty, nutritious, wild, and free, Passionfruit is a great addition to any foraging adventure.

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Here's previous THE EDIBLE OUTDOORS posts:

• 1-Common Yellow Wood Sorrel
• 2-Lamb’s Quarters
• 3-American Gooseberry
• 4-Stinging Nettle
• 5-Sassafras
• 6-Creeping Charlie
• 7-Dandelion
• 8-Plantain
• 9-Mint
• 10-Garlic
• 11-Purslane
• 12-Elderberry
• 13-Prickly Pear Cacti
• 14-Wild Lettuce

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