Malaysian Herbs - சிறுபூனைக் காலி Dappa kai (122)

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PASSIFLORA FOTIDA

Passiflora Fotida- சிறுபூனைக் காலி , முப்பரிச வல்லி

படத்தில் உரோமக் கூண்டுக்குள் இருப்பது காய் ; இது பழுத்து மஞ்சளாக ஆகிறது; அப்போது அதனை உண்ணலாம் ! மஞ்சளாக ஆன பழம் காய்ந்து வற்றல் நிலையில் வெடித்து விதைகள் பரவுகிறது !
இலை , பூனையின் கால் தடம் போல இருப்பதைக் கவனியுங்கள்  இதனால்தான் ‘சிறுபூனைக் காலி

Passiflora foetida (common names: wild maracuja, bush passion fruit.In Sinhala it is known as"වැල් බටු,පඩවැල්,වැල් ගඩුගුඩා etc..., marya-marya, wild water lemon, stinking passionflower,stoneflower love-in-a-mist or running pop) is a species of passion flower out of 550 species of Passiflora that is native to the southwestern United States (southern Texas and Arizona), Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Africa ,and much of South America. 

It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Hawaii, and The Maldives  It is a creeping vine like other members of the genus, and yields an edible fruit.The specific epithet, foetida, means "stinking" in Latin and refers to the strong aroma emitted by damaged foliage.

Typically the plant grows wild in the bushes or hedges, either creeping on the groud or climbing on other plants, poles or fences. To aid in climbing the plant possess tendrils to hook itself to the surfaces.

The flowers have white petals and give rise to small fruits, which are green when young and yellow to yellowish-red when mature. The seeds are black and are covered with juicy tissues. When ripe, the juice taste sweet.

Uses

Passiflora foetida

Passiflora foetida flower

The fruits are roughly the size of a ping pong ball or kumquat and contain a bluish-white pulp that is mildly sweet and delicately flavored. In the Philippines, the fruit of Passiflora foetida are known colloquially as marya-marya ('Little Mary'), 'kurombot', and santo papa (due to its resemblance to the Pope's mitre). 

Young leaves and plant tips are also edible. Dry leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems, as well as treatment for itching and coughs.

Animal interactions

Passiflora foetida is a larval host and nectar source for the Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae).

passiflora foetida has been mentioned as a toxic plant by farmers from northeastern Brazil. An experiment done with goats led to the discovery that high levels of cyanide in P. foetida cause poisoning after the ingestion of fresh leaves, mostly during the dry season.(122)

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