Passiflora mollissima

A perennial, climbing or creeping plant with long, cylindrical, finely and densely hairy stems, which are held or climbed by twisted axillary tendrils.
The leaves, up to 14 cm long, smooth and deep green on the upper side, are simple, alternate, divided into three acute lobes, toothed or serrated on the edges, pale on the underside, slightly hairy and with very prominent nerves.

Its large, beautiful flowers, up to 9 cm in diameter, develop solitary in the axils of the leaves, supported by long, sturdy stalks. At first they are protected by three bracts, which form a sort of puffy globe or lantern. Each flower has five greenish sepals and five petals varying in colour from pale pink to crimson red, joined at the base in a tube up to 7 cm long, which supports its unique flattened crown. Its five stamens, white with yellow anthers, are attached to the column (gynophore) that supports the ovary and only separate at the top of the ovary.

The fruits are oblong ovoid berries, succulent, sweet, yellow when ripe, slightly reminiscent of a small banana, and contain a large number of asymmetrical seeds.
This plant is native to the northern part of South America: Venezuela, Colombia, etc. It has only recently been introduced into the Canary Islands, being cultivated as an ornamental species in coastal and midland areas.
It requires abundant sun, although it tolerates relatively low temperatures.
It flowers in spring and summer, although in good conditions specimens can be seen flowering almost all year round.