Genus of more than 400 species of mostly evergreen tendril climbers, and a few annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, occuring in tropical woodland, on rocks, and in grassland, in tropical North, Central and South America, in tropical Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. The Passiflora is a tropical-looking, short-lived, waxy flowers grow on these rapid-growing, evergreen or deciduous vines grown outdoors only in the southernmost U.S. Parts of the short-lived flowers are said to represent elements in the biblical storey of Jesus' Passion. Varieties include the popular Blue Passionflower (P. Caerulea), which is nearly immune to pests and is less affected by frost. P. Alatocaerulea, which has been used in perfume, has fragrant, white flowers, tinted pink and lavender with deep blue or purple crowns. Vines reach 20 to 30 ft. tall. Vigorous growth can become a tangle of new and old vines, so thin each spring after second year and support vines on trellises or fences. Likes full sun to partial shade.