Passiflora kuranda Krosnick & A.J.Ford

Krosnick, A.J., Ford, A.J. & Freudenstein, J.V. (2009) Systematic Botany 34: 381. Type: Queensland: Cook District, Atherton, CSIRO Arboretum, Tropical Forest Research Center, 17 15S, 145 29E. 30 October 2003, Ford 4192 (holotype: BRI; isotypes: OS, NSW, L, MO, SING, QRS).

Vine stem diameters to 8 cm recorded. Bark reddish brown on the outer surface, dead bark layered showing growth rings in transverse section. Canopy liana to 15 m.

Leaf blades about 8-17 x 3.5-7.5 cm, petioles about 1.5-2.5 cm long. Two fleshy nectaries usually visible +/- on the upper side of the petiole about half way between the twig and the leaf blade. Flat glands usually visible on the underside of the leaf blade near its junction with the petiole. Stipules caducous, small and inconspicuous. Lateral veins curved inside the leaf blade margin but not forming definite loops. Tendrils simple, unbranched.

Tendrils present on the inflorescence. Flowers about <20-35 mm diam. Calyx tube about 2.5 mm wide. Sepals about 10 mm long. Petals about 14 mm long. Filaments of the outer corona about 12 mm long. Filaments of the inner corona tufted, about 3 mm long. Stamens seven, fused to form an androphore. Anthers about 3.2 mm long, staminal filaments flat, about 3 mm long. Styles four or five. Stigmas papillose.

Fruits globular to ovoid-ellipsoid, about 8-9 x 5.5-7 cm. Seeds numerous, each seed flattened, +/- orbicular, about 9 x 8 mm, enveloped in an aril or sarcotesta. Testa surface slightly pitted. Cotyledons broad, +/- rectangular or orbicular, about 4.5 x 6 mm. Radicle about 0.6 mm long and much narrower than the cotyledons.

Cotyledons obovate to obtriangular, about 15-20 x 13-15 mm, very shortly petiolate, +/- 3-veined. First pair of leaves narrowly elliptic, about 3-4 x 0.8-1 cm, apex acute to acuminate, base attenuate. Stipules filiform, about 1-2 mm long. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade narrowly oblanceolate, about 10-13 x 1.5-2.5 cm, apex acuminate, base gradually attenuate, margin undulate; petiole about 6-7 mm long. Stipules +/- linear, about 1 mm long, inconspicuous. A rib extends down from each stipule to the point of attachment of the next petiole. Seed germination time 25 to 191 days.

Endemic to NEQ, from Cooktown to the Lamb Range near Cairns. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 900 m. Grows in a wide variety of lowland and upland rain forest.

This species is a larval host plant for Red Lacewing butterflies (Cethosia cydippe L.) and Cruiser butterflies (Vindula arsinoe Cramer).