Passion fruit, scientifically known as Passiflora edulis, is a plant from the vine species. It originates from Uruguay, Paraguay, northern parts of Argentina, and Brazil. Commercially, it is cultivated in warm regions that do not experience frost. These regions are mostly those between the tropics. Passion fruits range from round to oval in shape and are either dark purple or yellow when they mature. They also range from firm to soft when mature. They are juicy fruits with a lot of seeds in them. These fruits can be directly eaten or ground to make juice. They have a nice aroma.
Passion fruit grows well in loamy soil, adequate sunlight with partial shade. The plant grows up to ten meters long and has tendrils that allow it support itself on other plants or structures. It bears large white flowers with either purple or pink central regions. The flowers have four sepals and ten petals. The pistil and the stamen are located out of the flower. Pollination of these flowers is done by insects which are attracted by the bright colours and the scent. Passion plants have fibrous roots which grows two feet in depth and three feet in diameter (Chau and Huang 189).
Passion flowers have great medicinal values and is used for its analgesic, anti-spasmodic, nervine, and sedative effects. It is used to treat neuralgia, hysteria, muscle cramps, menstrual cramps, and insomnia. In Europe, the flowers are as a pain reliever, to treat nervous disorders, alcoholism, neuralgia, and insomnia. In places such as South Africa, the fruit juice is a remedy for bronchitis, coughs and asthma. The juice is also used as a mild diuretic and to treat urinary infections.
The strawberry plant has its botanical name as Fragaria ananassa. It has a wide range of hybrid species from the genus Fragaria. In 1950s, strawberry was first cultivated in Brittany, France. Today, it is cultivated all around the world. Strawberries are appreciated for their aroma, bright colour (red), juice, and sweetness (Daubeny 743). The berries are taken directly or consumed in other foods such as ice creams, pies, or milkshakes. Many industries have emulated the sweet aroma of strawberries and use it to spice their foods and other products.
Strawberry plants have thickened stems that grow three to five branches (Odenwald, Neil and James 121). The more the branches, the less the size and quality of the berries. They have compound with the blade segmented into three parts. The broad surface area increases absorption of sunlight. Strawberry plants have fibrous roots that are very shallow. Their lowers have five small sepals and five to six white petals. The pistil and the stamen are located in the flower and pollination is done by insects.
Strawberry fruits are consumed in large quantities because of their medicinal values. They are believed to be inhibitors of development of cancer. Consumption of strawberries is believed to cause breast, cervical, and oesophageal cancer. Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C which is an anti-oxidant that nourishes a person. Strawberries are consumed also consumed to treat liver diseases, diarrhoea, jaundice and anaemia. The leaves of strawberry are used to make herbal medicine which treats gout, edema, and arthritis.
Works Cited
Chau, C. F., and Y. L. Huang. "Characterization of passion fruit seed fibres—a potential fibre source." Food Chemistry 85.2 (2004): 189-194.
Daubeny, Hugh A. "Tyee strawberry." Canadian journal of plant science 60.2 (1980): 743-746.
Odenwald, Neil G., and James R. Turner. Identification, selection, and use of southern plants: for landscape design. Claitor's Law Books and Publishing, 2006.
