The Passifloraceae or passion flower family contains between 500 and 700 species in about 16 genera and has a mainly tropical and subtropical distribution with a few species reaching more temperate areas. The family includes trees, shrubs, woody or herbaceous climbing plants, and annual and perennial herbs. The family takes it name from the genus Passiflora, an epithet derived from the Latin passio, "passion," and floris, "flower." In the 15th and 16th centuries Spanish missionaries discovered the flower and made it the symbol of the crucifixion of Christ, the radial filaments representing the Crown of Thorns, the ten petals and sepals representing the ten apostles, and the five lower anthers representing Jesus' five wounds. Many species are grown for their edible fruits like passion fruit, granadilla, maypop and sweet calabash, and many simply as beautiful ornamentals.