Revision of Passiflora Subgenus Decaloba ... - Passion Flowers

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suberosa ssp. litoralis do not exceed a length of 10 mm. The outer coronal
filaments are long, more than 6.6 mm, in P. tridactylites, and the filaments in P.
suberosa ssp. litoralis are commonly less than 6.0 mm long. The
androgynophore in P. tridactylites is diagnostically long, more than 8.0 mm,
whereas that of P. suberosa ssp. litoralis is always less than 6.0 mm. Passiflora
tridactylites has long fusiform fruits, exceeding 12.8 mm. The fruits of P.
suberosa ssp. litoralis are 7.1-11.9 mm long and ellipsoid to globose. According
to Lawesson (1988), the habitats of these two species are different, with P.
tridactylites occurring in dry lowland areas and P. suberosa ssp. litoralis in mesic
habitats. MacDougal (pers. com.) also found abundant Lepidopteran scales on
the inside of the flowers of pressed P. tridactylites specimens, indicating a
probable shift in pollinators as a likely selective force leading to the clear floral
differences in these two species. Van der Werff (van der Werff 1951) reported
that finches eat the fruits of this species in the Galápagos.
Figure 8.9. Flower and leaf of Passiflora tridactylites (van der Werff 1950).
Flower appearing partially damaged, possibly by moth pollinator. Note lateral
presentation of pollen. Scale bar = 9.0 mm. Photo by H. van der Werff.