About Passiflora laurifolia L.
Passiflora laurifolia is a species in the plant family Passifloraceae. It has multiple common names: water lemon, Jamaican honeysuckle, golden bellapple, pomme liane in Martinique and Guadeloupe, and orange lilikoi. Orange lilikoi should not be confused with yellow lilikoi, also simply called lilikoi, which is the name for Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, named for the valley in Hawai'i where this variety first grew. This species is native to tropical Americas, and has spread to other parts of the world. As a tropical species, water lemon cannot tolerate any frost. Water lemon is only occasionally cultivated, but its fruits are usually available in local markets in any area where the vine grows wild. It is not widely known outside these regions. The fruit is medium-sized and ovoid, measuring about 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter. It has green or deep orange skin, and white-yellow, extremely juicy pulp. Water lemon has an excellent mild, perfumed taste, without the tartness of the common passionfruit. It grows on a vigorous vine that can reach up to 30 feet long. The vine grows best in slightly humid climates, and is not particular about soil or water requirements, other than needing consistent ground moisture year-round. It is almost always grown from seeds, but can also be propagated by cuttings. Germination takes 1 to 2 weeks when seeds are bottom-heated to 70–80 °F (21–27 °C); at lower temperatures, seeds can take up to 10 weeks to germinate. The fruits are eaten fresh, or used to make drinks and beverages. Waterlemon Cay in the Virgin Islands is named after this fruit.
