Most passiflora are perennial climbing vines with smaller numbers being herbaceous vines, shrubs, small trees or annuals. Scientists studying chemical ecology and co-evolution have used passiflora and associated insects as model systems for many years. More than 500 species of passiflora are known worldwide, with nearly half belonging to the nominate subgenus that is endemic to South America.
A survey of plants of the Parque Estadual Cristalino in north-eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil, resulted in 3,500 specimens that are currently being identified by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the University of São Paulo.
Five species new to science have been recognised from the collections so far, including the beautiful new red-flowering Passiflora cristalina.
Named for the black-water river Rio Cristalino near the only site where it was discovered, the plant's green-to-reddish-brown striate stems were found growing as high as 4m on the forest edge. Although distinct in both characters of flower and variegated green fruits, the similarity in vegetation may have caused it to be confused with the wider-spread P glandulosa in the past.
Many passiflora only produce flowers and fruits on their upper growth in the canopy, which has hindered adequate collections.
The conservation status of the new flower cannot yet be assessed, although the region where it was discovered is under considerable logging, agriculture and settlement pressures.
