Passiflora subpeltata Ortega

Passiflora subpeltata is a perennial herbaceous vine, becoming sub-woody at the base. The stem, 5 m long, grabs to any support by the tendrils. The leaves are simple, alternate, long-petiolate. The petiole has several (3) elongated perpendicular gland. At the base of the petiole, there are two foliaceous stipules, large in size, broadly lanceolate, with an asymmetrical clasping base and acute apex. The lamina is deeply tri-lobed with a truncate or slightly cordate base. The apex of each lobe is rounded or wide angled and terminated by a short mucro. The margin is entire, very slightly serrated towards the base. Both sides are glabrous and bright green. Simple tendrils emerge from the stem at the base of the petiole. The flower is solitary, stalked in the leaf axils. The flower is 4 to 5.5 cm in diameter and has 5 to 6 petals interspersed with the sepals, similar and white in colour. In the center, there is a ring of numerous white filaments and a column topped by 5 spread stamens with yellow anthers and 3 branched pistils. The fruits are wide sub-globular to ovoid berries, light green, 3 to 4 cm long, glabrous and that become yellowish when ripe.
 
General habit
 
Passiflora subpeltata is a large herbaceous vine, climbing on trees and reaching up to 5 m long. It clings to the support by its simple tendrils.
 
Underground system

The plant has a taproot system.
 
Stem
 
The stem is cylindrical, slightly ridged longitudinally, full, light green to glaucous green, and glabrous. It measures 5 to 15 mm in diameter. It becomes sub-woody at the base.
 
Leaf
 
The leaves are simple, alternate, held by a petiole, 2 to 8 cm and it has in its central part many (3) green erect glands, 2 to 3 mm long. At the base of the petiole, there is a simple tendril and two large leafy stipules, 2 to 4 cm long, oval-lanceolate with a largely asymmetrical and clasping base. The apex is angled and the margin is entire, with some tines in the lower part. The lamina is deeply tri-lobed. It measures 3 to 10 cm long and 5 to 11 cm wide. The base is slightly truncate to slightly cordate, the apex of each lobes is rounded or wide angled, ending in a short mucro. The margin is full but has some fine tines in the basal part. Both sides are glabrous, light green to glaucous green. The venation is palmate, with 3 to 5 main veins emerging from the base.
 
Inflorescence
 
The flower is solitary, inserted at the leaf axils.
 
Flower
 
The flower is held by a peduncle, 2 to 4 cm. 5 to6 sepals and 5 to 6 similar petals, broadly elliptical and white, open completely in flat, forming a perianth of 4 to 5.5 cm in diameter. Innermost, there is a ring consisting of 5 rows of white filaments, 2 to 3 mm long, and floret disk in section, with nectariferous base. In the center of this disc, there is a column formed from th effused base of the filaments of the 5 stamens whose anthers are oblong, radiating, 3 to 5 mm long and is open downwards. The ovary, 2 to 3 mm long, is ellipsoid and  glabrous, placed at the top of the column. It is surmounted by a white trifid style, 4 to 5 mm long, the branches are spread out, at the end of which there is a club-shaped stigma, green in colour.
 
 
Fruit
 
The fruit is a sub-globular to ovoid berry, 4 cm long, glabrous, light green, becoming yellowish when ripe. It contains many seeds in a white mucilage.