THE EDIBLE PASSION FRUIT IN HAWAII 13 
YELLOW PASSION FRUIT 
The yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edtdis favicarpa) 4 is also 
known by the common name of yellow-fruited lilikoi. Although ap- 
parently closely related to the purple passion fruit, the two differ 
considerably. The plant is more vigorous and the flowers are larger 
and more fragrant, with stronger tendencies toward protandrous 
habit. 5 The fruit also differs in being of a yellow color at maturity 
and the flavor of the pulp and juice is more clearly defined. 
The Hawaii Experiment Station first received seed of the yellow 
passion fruit from the late E. X. Reasoner of Oneco, Fla., in 1923. 
Mr. Reasoner had obtained the seed in Australia when on a visit to 
that country. A considerable number of plants were grown by the 
Hawaii Station in the years following and distributed to growers in 
various parts of the Territory. 
DESCRIPTION 
The woody perennial vine is very strong when grown in favorable 
environments. It gives a light crop in about 18 months from seed, 
and two crops per year, occurring in July and October, with possibly 
some variation according to environment (fig. 3). 
Leaves. — The leaves are almost identical with those of the purple 
passion fruit but appear to be a little more vigorous. 
Flowers. — The flowers are similar to those of the purple variety 
but differ in being larger and more brilliant in color and more fra- 
grant. They also bear two marginal glands on the outer fourth of 
the three outside sepals. 
Fruit. — The fruit produced by seedling plants varies in size and 
shape from spherical to oval. The average fruits vary from 2y 2 to 3 
inches in greatest diameter : light yellow in color at full ripeness ; rind 
leathery, *4 mcn m thickness and white beneath the outer surface. 
The central cavity contains many seeds, each surrounded with a juicy, 
orange-colored pulp which is quite acid and of a decided aromatic 
flavor. 
SWEET GRANADILLA OR WATERLEMON 
The sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis) has been fairly well 
known in Hawaii for over 30 years. Wilder (18, p. 2H)* in 1911, 
stated that the date of its introduction to Hawaii, and by whom, 
was not known. In parts of the Island of Hawaii, however, it has 
been growing for many years as a part of the natural vegetation. 
The species was erroneously called P. laurifolm in Hawaii. A 
more thorough study of its specific characters showed it to be P. 
ligularis. The common name i; waterlemon '* is also misused, as 
long ago that name was applied to another species in some English- 
speaking countries (2, p. 44^/ ^< P- 267) . 
In recent years the sweet granadilla has spread to many locali- 
ties where there are warm, moist woods adapted to its natural 
growth (fig. 4). Such conditions usually range from near sea 
4 See footnote 2. 
5 The anthers shed their pollen before the stigmas are in a condition to receive it. 
and without fertilization of the ovaries there is a failure to set fruit. 
