When you walk in the tropic forest of South America, it's hard not to notice this extremely beautiful plant with blue and white flowers and fragrant palmate leaves. Scientifically known as Passiflora caerulea, the plant has won many common names due to its popularity. For example, it's called Clock plant in Japan because it has a central stamen and stigmas that look like a timepiece. Other names include common passion flower, blue crown and Jesus flower. 

The vigorous plant produces edible orange berries, but they are not that delicious. 

Apart from this, due to its intricate structure, the blue passionflower is related to Christian symbolism and is the national flower of Paraguay.

Here are some photos of this exquisite plant. 

(All images via VCG)

About 'Plants & Nations' 

"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide to beautiful plants from different countries. 

For more articles, please click here:

Plants & Nations

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)