Passiflora incarnata, Passionflower

Passionflower Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as Maypop, is an herbaceous, perennial vine that occurs naturally in open hammocks, along roadsides, and in disturbed areas. It is a larval host plant of several butterflies including the Gulf fritillary, Variegated fritillary and Zebra longwing. Bees, especially bumble and carpenter, find the flowers attractive and are the plant’s primary pollinators. Purple passionflower has an extraordinarily intricate flower, resembling something out of a Dr. Seuss book. It has 10 lavender tepals, a purple-and-white-fringed corona, a central “crown” of pink filaments, and a conspicuous style and stamens. The leaves are deeply three-lobed and alternately arranged, with dark green upper and whitish lower surfaces. The fruit is a large yellow-orange berry with edible pulp that is typically born in late summer to fall. The plant can be prostrate or climbing by way of axillary tendrils. The fruit can be eaten raw or made into jam