Passion Fruit of Fiji

Dedicated to the Passion Fruit plants, Fiji Post Limited issued a set of four stamps features these specific fruit on September 29, 2009. The species depicted on stamps are Passiflora foetida, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora maliformis.

The 20c stamp present fruit Passiflora foetida.

Passiflora foetida is a species of passion flower that is native to the southwestern United States , Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world

The stems are thin and wiry, covered with minute sticky yellow hairs. Older stems become woody. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. When crushed, these leaves give off a pungent odor that some people consider unpleasant.

The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5–6 cm diameter. 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 contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents .

 

The 65c stamp present fruit Passiflora edulis.

Passiflora edulis is a vine species of passion flower that is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina .It is cultivated commercially in warmer, frost-free areas for its fruit and is widely grown in many countries.

Passiflora edulis is round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds.The fruit is both eaten and juiced; passion fruit juice is often added to other fruit juices to enhance the aroma.

Passiflora edulis is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fibre. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C),and good for people who have high blood pressure.Some research is showing that purple passion fruit peel may help with controlling asthma symptoms. The fruit contains Lycopene in the mature and immature pericarp .

 

 

The $1.20 stamp present fruit Passiflora maliformis.

Passiflora maliformis (Sweet calabash, Conch apple, Wild purple passionfruit or Sweet cup), is a smallish (2") passionfruit with purple, yellow or green skin and a grayed-yellow orange pulp that is aromatically scented and flavored. It is a fast growing vine, growing best in somewhat cooler than tropical climates.

The rind is particularly hard, and tougher than most passion fruits. It is usually grown from seeds, but may also be propagated by stem-cuttings. It is usually eaten fresh or used to flavor drinks. It is a native to the Caribbean, Central America and Northern South America.

The $2 stamp present other variety  of Passiflora edulis, Purple Passion Fruit.

Several distinct varieties of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)  with clearly differing exterior appearances exist. The bright yellow flavicarpa variety, also known as the Golden Passion Fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the Purple Passion Fruit in Australia.

 

The dark purple edulis variety is smaller than a lemon, though it is less acidic than the yellow passion fruit, and has a richer aroma and flavour. The purple varieties of the fruit have been found to contain traces of cyanogenic glycosides in the skin.