Family:  Passifloraceae
Scientific name:  Adenia globosa
Common name:  

Native of:  Tropical Africa

Greenhouse location:  Room D

The 3- to 4-inch vicious thorns help the stems of the Adenia globosa climb through nearby competing vegetation to a potential height of 26 feet when growing erect; however, it also grows in a short and wide form, becoming globular in shape and up to 6.5 feet wide.

Considered a succulent, the swollen trunk of this plant stores water, also classifying it as a caudiciform: a plant with a water-storing trunk. Caudiciform plants are mostly desert plants and store water for use during droughts.

Adenia globosa is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. It belongs to the same family as the well known passion flower.