What is in the passion fruit family?

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

The family containing passion fruit is surprisingly large, with the Passifloraceae family encompassing around 750 species across 27 genera. This extensive and diverse botanical group includes not only the well-known edible fruit but also numerous ornamental climbing vines known for their spectacular flowers.

Quick Summary

The passion fruit belongs to the plant family Passifloraceae, which features hundreds of species, predominantly in the genus Passiflora. This family includes various edible and ornamental vines, such as granadillas and the maypop. Different species offer distinct flavors and appearances, with some varieties better suited for consumption and others for decoration.

Key Points

Botanical Classification: The passion fruit belongs to the plant family Passifloraceae, which is a diverse family of flowering plants with about 750 species.
Edible Relatives: Other notable edible fruits in the Passifloraceae family include the sweet granadilla (P. ligularis), banana passion fruit (P. tarminiana), and giant granadilla (P. quadrangularis).
Ornamental Varieties: Many species are cultivated for their beautiful, intricate flowers rather than their fruit, such as the maypop (P. incarnata) and blue passion flower (P. caerulea).
Purple vs. Yellow: The two most common types of passion fruit are the sweeter purple variety (P. edulis) and the more acidic yellow variety (P. edulis f. flavicarpa), each with distinct flavor profiles.
Medicinal Properties: Extracts from various Passiflora species, particularly the leaves, have historically been used in folk medicine for their mild sedative and anxiolytic effects.
Growth Habit: Most members of the Passiflora genus are vigorous climbing vines that use tendrils to cling to supports.
Native Regions: The family Passifloraceae is primarily native to tropical and subtropical regions, with the Americas being a major center of diversity.

Introduction to the Passifloraceae Family

Passion fruit, scientifically known as Passiflora edulis, is just one species within the extensive Passifloraceae family. This family is primarily comprised of flowering plants native to tropical regions around the world, particularly the Americas. While the most common species are climbing vines, the family also includes some trees and shrubs. Beyond producing fruit, the intricate and symbolic flowers of many Passiflora species are highly valued for their ornamental appeal. Early missionaries named the flower for its resemblance to the symbols of Christ's crucifixion, which is how it earned the name 'passion flower'.

Edible Members of the Passion Fruit Family

The genus Passiflora boasts over 500 species, but only a fraction produce the sweet, seedy fruit prized for juices, desserts, and fresh consumption. The most commercially significant species are the purple and yellow varieties of Passiflora edulis, but several other delicious and notable cousins exist within the same family.

Passiflora ligularis (Sweet Granadilla): This fruit has a golden-orange, hard shell and a gelatinous, sweet pulp with black edible seeds. Its flavor is milder and sweeter than the common passion fruit, often with a subtle floral aroma. Sweet granadilla is widely popular throughout Latin America.
Passiflora tarminiana (Banana Passion Fruit): Characterized by its elongated, yellow fruits and a tangy-sweet, somewhat musky flavor, this species is named for its banana-like shape. It thrives in specific climate conditions and offers a different flavor profile from its rounder relatives.
Passiflora quadrangularis (Giant Granadilla): True to its name, this fruit is significantly larger than other passion fruits, reaching up to 8 inches in length. The pulp is mild and melon-like, and it is a vigorous vine that can grow very quickly.
Passiflora incarnata (Maypop): This species is the most cold-hardy member of the family and is native to the southern United States. It produces distinctive lavender flowers and an edible, but less flavorful, yellow-green fruit.

Ornamental Species and Other Relatives

Not all members of the Passifloraceae family are grown for their fruit. Many are cultivated purely for their beautiful, intricate flowers. For example, Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passion Flower) is a common ornamental vine that produces inedible fruit, though it is closely related to its edible cousins. Other genera within the Passifloraceae family, like Adenia and Turnera, are less well-known for their fruit but are still an important part of the botanical classification. This highlights the family's diversity beyond the familiar passion fruit.

Comparison of Common Passiflora Species


Feature	Purple Passion Fruit (P. edulis)	Yellow Passion Fruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa)	Sweet Granadilla (P. ligularis)
Appearance	Small, dark purple, and wrinkled rind when ripe.	Larger, bright yellow, and smoother rind when ripe.	Round, orange, and hard, smooth shell.
Flavor Profile	Sweeter and more fragrant, with rich aroma.	More tangy and acidic, great for juices.	Mild, sweet, and floral.
Climate Tolerance	Subtropical, more tolerant of cooler weather.	Tropical, thrives in warmer, lowland areas.	Tropical to subtropical.
Pollination	Mostly self-pollinating.	Requires cross-pollination.	Self-pollinating.
Culinary Uses	Eaten fresh, desserts.	Juice production, beverages.	Eaten fresh, desserts.

The Wider Passifloraceae Family and Its Benefits

The Passifloraceae family is of significant economic and medicinal importance. Beyond the fruit, extracts from the leaves and other parts of certain Passiflora species have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Many species contain flavonoids and other compounds that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. This has led to the use of some passionflower products to help with issues like anxiety and insomnia. The entire family is a testament to the biological diversity found within tropical and subtropical regions, offering not just a culinary treat but a source of potential health benefits and ornamental beauty.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of what is in the passion fruit family reveals a diverse and fascinating botanical group, the Passifloraceae. While the familiar Passiflora edulis is the most commercially recognized, a wider array of edible relatives like the sweet granadilla and banana passion fruit offer different flavors and characteristics. Moreover, numerous other species are cultivated solely for their stunning flowers, and many possess medicinal properties valued in traditional practices. The passion fruit family is a vibrant testament to the plant kingdom's complexity, providing culinary delights, aesthetic appeal, and health benefits from its many members. You can explore the extensive variety of Passiflora species on the Gardenia.net guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passion fruit is classified under the plant family Passifloraceae, which includes about 750 species of flowering plants, predominantly from the genus Passiflora.

No, not all passion flowers produce edible fruit. While all passion fruit comes from a type of passion flower, many species produce fruit that is either unpalatable or mildly toxic, and some are grown only for their ornamental flowers.

The main differences are in their taste and size. Purple passion fruit is typically smaller and has a sweeter, richer flavor, making it great for fresh consumption. Yellow passion fruit is larger, more acidic, and often preferred for making juice.

A sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis) is a member of the passion fruit family that produces a golden-orange fruit with a distinctly sweet, mild, and floral-flavored gelatinous pulp.

Yes, extracts from certain passionflower species, such as Passiflora incarnata, have been used for their mild sedative and calming effects. They are often used to help with anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.

The maypop (Passiflora incarnata) is a cold-hardy species of passion flower native to the southern United States. It produces intricate lavender flowers and a small, yellowish-green fruit that is edible but not as flavorful as the commercial passion fruit.

The name 'passion fruit' comes from Christian missionaries in the 1500s. They saw symbolism of the crucifixion of Christ in the flower's intricate structure, with different parts representing the apostles, the crown of thorns, and the nails.