Passiflora mollissima L.H.Bailey

Climber to 20 m., perennial, subglabrous to densely pubescent throughout; stem terete, finely striate.. Leaf-blades 3-lobed, the depth varying from about half-way to ± six-sevenths, in outline suborbicular, 5–11 by 6–13 cm., base truncate to cordate, 3(–5)-nerved from the base, membranous to thinly coriaceous, glabrous or subglabrous above, pubescent to various degrees beneath; lobes elliptic to lanceolate, 2.5–6 cm., top acute or up to 1.5 cm. acuminate; margin glandular serrate-dentate up to 2 mm.; petiole 0.7–2.5(–5) cm.. Glands on petiole absent or mostly 2–5 pairs, minute, sessile or subsessile; blade-glands, except marginal glands and sometimes a small gland in the lobe-sinuses, absent.. Stipules subcircular or obliquely reniform, either ± 2 mm. or ± 0.5(–0.9) cm. in diameter, finely glandular dentate, if small caducous.. Inflorescences 1-flowered, the peduncle 1.5–5 cm., inserted beside a simple tendril 5–18 cm.; bracts and bracteoles 2–4 cm., acute-acuminate, connate for half-way to up to ± three-fourths, forming a tubiform involucre.. Flowers 5–10 cm. in diameter, pinkish or pinkish red to pinkish orange.. Hypanthium tubiform, (5–)6–9 by 0.5–1.5 cm.; sepals oblong, 2–5.5 cm., subobtuse, mucronate below apex.. Petals oblong, 2–5 cm., obtuse.. Corona a low lobulate edge at the throat of the hypanthium; operculum an inward curved membrane, at the base of the hypanthium.. Androgynophore 6–10 cm... Filaments 10–15 mm., dilated; anthers 7–13 mm.. Ovary oblong, 10–12 mm., pubescent; styles 10–15 mm.. Fruit rather dry, ± ellipsoid, excluding the long gynophore 6–12 cm. long, softly pubescent, yellowish.. Seeds many, ellipsoid, ± 6 mm.

It continuously wet areas in temperate or high altitude tropical regions the plant can spread rapidly climbing trees for support. It is suited to colder highland conditions in the tropics. It grows wild over 2500 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. Plants will fruit between 1600 and 2800 m altitude in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. It is sensitive to frost.

The fruit is eaten when ripe. It is also used for drinks, ice creams, fruit salads, jellies, pies, puddings, sauces, and made into a liqueur. The juice is fermented into wine.

Seeds can be sown in a nursery and then transplanted. Almost always grown from seeds, but it can be propagated by cuttings. Bottom heating the seeds at 20-26°C can result in germination at 1-2 weeks, at lower temperatures seeds can take up to 10 weeks to germinate. Plants need a framework to climb over.