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Flowers of Zihuatanejo

Stinking Passionflower

Passiflora foetida

Flowers by Colour

The generic name Passiflora refers to the supposed relativity of the separate parts of the flower to the death and passion of Christ; the specific name relates to the odorous resin present in the sticky glandular hairs on many parts of the plant. Found throughout central and South America. The fruit is globose, 2–3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds. Passiflora foetida is able to trap insects on its bracts, which exude a sticky substance that also contains digestive enzymes. This minimizes predation on young flowers and fruits.[7] Whether or not it gains nourishment from its prey is uncertain, and it is considered a protocarnivorous plant.[

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