Passiflora tetrandra is a climbing vine found in New Zealand. The Māori name for the plant is kōhia[2] and kohekohe. Other common names include New Zealand passionflower and New Zealand passionfruit.[3] Of the c.500 species of passionflower, this is the sole representative from New Zealand and endemic to New Zealand.[4][5] Its Māori name kohekohe is cognate to the Fijian local name for Melanthera biflora, kovekove, due to both having superficial similar yellow flowers.[6]
| Passiflora tetrandra | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Passifloraceae |
| Genus: | Passiflora |
| Species: | P. tetrandra
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| Binomial name | |
| Passiflora tetrandra Banks ex DC.
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Overall
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Kōhia is a forest vine, climbing up to 10m (33 feet). Leaves are alternate, broadly lanceolate, green, shiny, and untoothed. Flowers are small, white to yellow, in groups of 1–3 in the axils of the leaves. Flowers appear between October and December.
Plants are dioecious: fruit may not be produced without female-flowering plants being fertilised with pollen from separate male-flowering plants.[7][8] Fruits can be found from summer to autumn;[9] are lemon-shaped, orange, up to 30mm (1.2 inches) long. The fruit can be eaten by people and is a traditional food for Māori: the gum from the stem was also chewed.[10]
Propagation is from seed or cutting. Cultivation requirements are basic: vines need a support structure/tree and a cool root run in a reasonable soil.[11]
References
edit- ^ Tropicos
- ^ "kohia". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ NZ Plant Conservation Network
- ^ Lehnebach, Carlos A.; Meudt, Heidi (2022-10-01). Native Plants of Aotearoa. Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series. Te Papa Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-9911509-3-6.
- ^ Cave, Y., and Paddison, V. (2005) The Gardener's Encyclopedia of New Zealand Native Plants. Randomhouse, Glenfield, New Zealand
- ^ "Kōhia". Te Māra Reo. Benton Family Trust. 2024.
- ^ Crowe, A. (1997) A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin Books, North Shore, New Zealand
- ^ Cave, Y., and Paddison, V. (2005) The Gardener's Encyclopedia of New Zealand Native Plants. Randomhouse, Glenfield, New Zealand
- ^ Crowe, A. (1997) A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin Books, North Shore, New Zealand
- ^ Crowe, A. (1997) A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin Books, North Shore, New Zealand
- ^ Cave, Y., and Paddison, V. (2005) The Gardener's Encyclopedia of New Zealand Native Plants. Randomhouse, Glenfield, New Zealand
- ^ Raoul, Étienne Fiacre Louis. 1844. Annales des Sciences Naturelles; Botanique, sér. 3 2: 122.
- ^ Candolle, Augustin Pyramus de, 1822. Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 3: 323.
- ^ Naturewatch New Zealand
Media related to Passiflora tetrandra at Wikimedia Commons