Passiflora ornithoura

Natural range and habitat of Passiflora ornithoura

The species Passiflora ornithoura is native to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, where it grows in wet tropical vegetation. Because the identification remains unconfirmed from flowers, Passiflora ilamo remains another possibility; that species occurs naturally from south-eastern Chiapas through Guatemala to western Honduras.

Care for Passiflora ornithoura

• Growth habit: The long stems can trail from a hanging basket or climb a trellis. Guide climbing stems loosely so the tendrils can take hold.
• Light: Give the vine bright filtered light. Introduce direct sun gradually and provide light shade from intense midday sun behind glass.
• Water: Water thoroughly when the compost surface has dried, then let all excess drain away. When growth slows, the compost will usually dry more slowly, so water less often.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep it warm, frost-free and away from cold draughts. Moderate indoor humidity is suitable.
• Potting mix and feeding: Use loose, freely draining compost in a pot with drainage holes. Apply liquid fertiliser to moist compost while the vine is growing, following the label, and feed less often when growth slows.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size when the roots become tightly packed around the rootball.

Troubleshooting Passiflora ornithoura

• New pale, dry patches appear after a move into stronger light: Sun scorch is likely. Move the vine back to filtered light and introduce direct sun more gradually.
• The vine wilts while the compost is dry: The rootball needs water. Water thoroughly and let the excess drain away.
• Roots turn dark and soft: These signs can indicate root rot. Cut affected roots back to firm healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard all rotten material and repot in fresh, freely draining potting mix.
• Fine pale speckling and fine webbing appear on the foliage: Check the undersides for spider mites. Isolate the vine, rinse the leaves and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on ornamental plants if needed, repeating it only as directed on the label.

Keep Passiflora ornithoura away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Who first published Passiflora ornithoura, and what does the name mean?

Passiflora combines Latin passio, referring to the Passion of Christ, and flos, “flower”. Ornithoura joins Greek ornith-, “bird”, with oura, “tail”, describing the bird-tail outline of the leaves.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Passiflora in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 955.

Maxwell Tylden Masters first described Passiflora ornithoura in 1891 in Botanical Gazette, volume 16, page 8.