Bat-Leaf Vine

Passiflora coriacea (Passifloraceae)

Native to Central and South America

Passiflora coriacea represents an extraordinary example of the ability of many species of Passiflora to vary their leaf shape. Passion-flower vines, like the Bat-Leaf Vine, grow primarily in the New World tropics. They produce brightly colored flowers that bloom for only 24 hours, so they need to an abundance of flowers to attract pollinators.

Herbivores are plentiful in the tropics and Passion flowers have developed many defense mechanisms to protect themselves against herbivory, one of which is tremendous variation in leaf shapes. This strategy has evolved as a way to deter butterflies from laying eggs on their leaves and subsequently providing a meal to the caterpillars. Defense mechanisms (such as P. coriacea leaves resembling a bat in flight) have led to tremendous diversity and specialization in Passiflora flowers and leaves.

The Bat-Leaf Vine is in the Tropical Room.