If you look around in gardening and exotic forums, then the answers found regarding the toxicity of the passion flower are very contradictory. In fact, some of the more than 500 Passiflora species are slightly poisonous to poisonous due to the high hydrocyanic acid content, while others develop edible and very tasty fruits. Well-known examples are the passion fruit and the grenadilla.
Poisonous species of Passiflora
The botanist differentiates between four subspecies of the passion flower, of which the subgenus Decaloba in particular, with around 220 representatives, is considered inedible to poisonous. Other passion flower species are also considered poisonous due to the sometimes high content of hydrocyanic acid in the leaves and shoots. However, the symptoms of poisoning to be expected are not dramatic, you can expect nausea to the point of vomiting, dizziness, headaches and cramps. Although the consumption of poisonous parts of plants is not fatal, at least for adult humans, it is certainly fatal for small animals such as rabbits and other rodents as well as for cats.
tips and tricks
Above all, Passiflora incarnata is used in naturopathy and homeopathy, although it is not advisable to try it yourself.