The blooms of this passionflower are adorning the roof in the Tropical Wetlands House.
Originating from lowland forests of Bolivia, Passiflora nigradenia is one of 500 tropical species of mainly climbers, but also trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Most have alternate leaves, which are simple or lobed, and many have prominent nectar glands on the leaf margin or stalk. The flowers are produced either singly or in racemes, and have a tubular base and up to 10 flat or reflexed petals in which sits a filamentous corona and at the centre of that, a stalk bearing the ovary and stamens. P. nigradenia has tendrils, oblong leaves, white petals and a corona striped in purple and white. The flowers are followed by bright orange fruits with many edible seeds enrobed in a delicately flavoured pulp, and in its native habitat these are harvested by locals.