''Passiflora'' × ''exoniensis'', the Exeter passion flower, is a

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two diff ...

of garden origin between two

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

s, '' Passiflora antioquiensis'' × '' Passiflora tripartita'' var. ''mollissima'' in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Passifloraceae. It was hybridised in the

Veitch Nurseries The Veitch Nurseries were the largest group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. Started by John Veitch sometime before 1808, the original nursery grew substantially over several decades and was eventually split into ...

in Exeter, Devon, England, in the 1870s. The name ''Passiflora'' × ''exoniensis'' has yet to be resolved as a correct scientific name; nevertheless it is widely found in the horticultural literature. It is a robust

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has Leaf, foliage that remains green and functional throughout the year. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which lose their foliage completely during the winter or dry season. Consisting of many diffe ...

climber growing to at least with three-lobed leaves and pendent deep pink tubular flowers followed by egg-shaped yellow fruits. It is hardy down to about so may be grown outdoors with shelter in mild temperate areas; alternatively under glass, for instance in an unheated greenhouse. ''Passiflora'' × ''exoniensis'' has won the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. It includes the full range of cultivated p ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Passiflora exoniensis

exoniensis Exoniensis (usually abbreviated Exon.) is the Latin Adjective, adjectival form of ''Exonia'', the Latin name for the city of Exeter in Devon, England. It therefore means "of Exeter". Latin source The Latin noun ''Exonia'' has as its genitive f ...

Hybrid plants