Passiflora foetida L.

Gambutan (Passiflora foetida) is a biennial climbing plant up to 2.5 meters long of the Passifloraceae family, native to South America and now distributed throughout tropical regions including Hawaii. Its antioxidant content makes this plant an important traditional remedy. Gambutan is believed to boost female fertility, act as a snakebite antidote, and relieve sleep disorders.

A weed that can be found in abandoned land, farmland, roadsides, and forests in lowlands up to an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level. Grows well in temperate to tropical climates, requiring humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil, and shade. Minimum rainfall required is 900 mm/year and temperature of 19-29°C, humidity between 80-90%, soil pH 6.5-7.5.

• Stem cylindrical, round, becoming woody over time
• Flowers have 3 green needle-like branched sepals. Corolla has 5 petals and 5 additional petals that are white with a pink base.
• Leaves heart-shaped with 3 lobes, pointed tip.
• Fruit a berry, round and somewhat elongated, about 2-3 mm in diameter. Young fruit is green and ripe fruit is yellow.
• Seeds black and flat-shaped.

Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by branch cuttings and young shoot cuttings).

Flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols, steroids, tannins, phytosterols, cyanogenic glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, passifloricins, α-pyrones, and vitexin.

Boosts female fertility; acts as a snakebite antidote; treats sleep disorders, cough and colds; heals wounds; antimicrobial; treats colds; acts as a dewormer; promotes urination.

Kelubut, Rambusa, Blungsun (Java), Permot, Rajutan, Kaceprek (Sunda), Pacean, Gegombo (Aceh), Lemanas (Palembang), Remugak (Lampung), Markisa hutan.