Nutrition

Passiflora incarnata is an autotrophic plant (aka: it is photosynthetic).  As part of the photosynthesis process, it requires water, sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce sugars and oxygen.

+ CO2 + --> O2 + SUGAR

The purple passion flower does not have a host species (it is not parasitic).  However it does serve as an important food supply and host for many larval insect species (see Interactions).

The purple passion flower also have specialized tissues within the stem similar to the xylem and phloem found in wood/trees. This tissue is called cambium tissue and is used to transport nutrients throughout the plant.

Follow this link to see how the products of photosynthesis benefit other organisms!