Jungli Jhumka / LOVE-IN-A-MIST

by Capt. Kawsar Mostafa · December 14, 2013

Jhumka bud
Jhumka Leaf
Jhumka flower
Jhumka fruit
Jhumka Leaf

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Common name:

Love-in-a-mist, Stinking passionflower, wild maracuja, bush passion fruit, marya-marya, wild water lemon, stinking passionflower, running pop, Gorakphal

Bengali name:

ঝুমকা লতা Jhumka lota,Jungli Jhumka

Botanical name:

Passiflora foetida Family: Passifloraceae (passion flower family)

Description:

Love-in-a-mist is a creeping ,perennial vine which has an edible fruit and leaves that have a mildly rank aroma. It is native to northern South America and southwestern United States (southern Texas and Arizona), Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America. Grows in well drained soil, in forest openings.

In Bangladesh this species found almost thorough out the country.

It has been introduced to tropical regions around the world,such as South Asia, Southeast Asia and Hawaii. The specific epithet, foetida, means “stinking” in Latin and refers to the strong aroma emitted by damaged foliage.

The stems are thin, wiry and woody, covered with sticky yellow hairs. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. They give off an unpleasant odour when crushed. The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5-6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2-3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds.

The bracts of this plant serve as insect traps, but it is as yet unknown whether the plant digests and gains nourishment from the trapped insects or if it merely uses the bracts as a defensive mechanism to protect its flowers and fruit. This is still an issue of debate and research among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.

This passion flower tolerates arid ground, but favours wet areas. It is known to be an invasive species in some areas.

Flowering and fruiting :May-Decemeber

Uses:

The fruits are roughly the size of a ping pong ball and contain a bluish-white pulp that is mildly sweet and delicately flavored. Young leaves and plant tips are also edible.

Passiflora foetida contains high levels of saponins and is used as a substitute for soap in the manufacture of (soap-free) detergents.

Medicinal uses: This species can be helpful in treating digestive problems, including dyspepsia and diarrhea; or used as an astringent and expectorant for nervous conditions and spasms.

Roots are used for treatment of ulcers and hemorrhoids. The plant is used in treatment of Asthma,Menopause and Ringwom

Dry leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems.