PASSION FRUIT, BUAH SUSU

The passion fruits are of tropical origin from South America. They are named after the Passion flower. There are a few species; this particular one is distinguished by the greenish yellow fruits and belongs to the same species as the purple-fruit variety found in the highlands. The plants are climbers with the aid of tendrils, and coil round supports such as fences or pergola. The flowers are typical of the passion flower with prominent outgrowth from the petals (corona). The fruits are egg shaped about 5-10 cm long and 7.5 cm across. They are green when immature, turning yellow on ripening. The skin is smoothing shiny and fairly hard. The rind is about 1/8 inch thick; inside are numerous black seeds covered with orange yellow pulp. The fruits can be eaten fresh or made into juice, ice cream or cake. In the home garden passion fruit can be grown along fence. The plants are propagated from cutting or seeds.