Fairchild Botanic Garden

Family: Passifloraceae (Passion-flower)

Distribution: Venezuela, Colombia, N. Ecuador, West Indies

Life form: Vine/liana

Description: Sweet calabash is an attractive, fast-growing vine native to the Caribbean and northern South America. The stunning, fragrant flowers have purple and red speckled petals and a ring of wavy violet coronal filaments radiating from the center. The yellowish green fruits have a hard exterior but contain edible grape-flavored flesh inside. They are usually eaten fresh or used for making cold drinks. It prefers full or part sun and well-draining soil.