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Passifloraceae
(Passion Flower Family)

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Passifloraceae  de Jussieu (Ex Kunth) 1817

The family Passifloraceae includes 650 species in 18 genera, of which the only succulent plants are in the genus Adenia. The remaining species include climbing vines and shrubs, of which Passiflora (Passion flowers) are widely cultivated for their large decorative flowers and fruit (granadilla).

Adenia  Forsskål 1775

The genus Adenia includes around 95 species of woody trees, shrubs, herbs, and vines with swollen caudiciform bases to their stems or tuberous roots. Many species have tendrils enabling them to scramble through bushes. Some are protected with thorns. Adenia are dioecious.
 
Cultivation: Adenia are tender plants requiring heat and full sun. Plants should be watered very sparingly outside their growing season but water can be increased when the plants are in active growth. The deciduous leaves provide a guide to active and resting persiods. Compost should be gritty and free-draining, especially so for species with fleshy roots. Some species can be grown from cuttings, but these are reluctant to develop a caudex.
 
Some species of Adenia are used by bushmen as sources of hunting poisons and all species should be regarded as poisonous. Toxins include cyanide derivatives and potent lectins.

Adenia aculeata Adenia aculeata flowers

Adenia aculeata  Engler 1881  Syn. Modecca aculeata Oliver 1880
The tuber produces a branching vine up to 60ft long, scrambling through bushes assisted by tendrils from the leaf nodes or growing as an isolated stocky shrub. The thinner parts of the vine and leaves are seasonally deciduous and wild plants are leafless for much of the year. The stem may be furnished with sharp prickles. Persistent basal portions of withered tendrils also become prickles. The light green leaves have 3 - 5 lobes.
 
Adenia aculeata is native to Ethiopia, North-East Kenya and Somalia. Stem cuttings can be rooted but may not form a caudex. The sap is poisonous.

Adenia volkensii Adenia volkensii flowers

Adenia volkensii  Harms 1895 (Kilyambiti)
The short 3 ft trunk has a tuberous root and branches at the top. The dark green leaves are dissected into 3 to 7 lobes. Yellowish flowers on short, branching peduncles are produced from the leaf axils and are followed by fleshy red fruit.
 
Adenia volkensii is native to East Africa including Kenya and Tanzania, where it grows at elevations of up to 6000 ft. This plant contains Volkensin, a toxic ricin-like lectin. The leaves, roots and bark have traditional medicinal and veterinary uses and commercial extracts are made from the plant.