Wild Passion Flower
Origin
Southeast America
Family
Passifloraceae
Description
Passiflora incarnata is a rapid-growing, tendril-climbing vine which is woody in warm winter climates and herbaceous (dies to the ground) in cold winter climates.
Features three-lobed, dark green leaves and showy, 2.5" diameter, fringed flowers having white petals and sepals and a central crown of pinkish-purple filaments. Flowers bloom in summer and are fragrant.
Fleshy, egg-shaped, edible fruits called maypops appear in July and mature to a yellowish color in fall. Ripened maypops can be eaten fresh off the vine or made into jelly. Maypop is also a common name for this vine. Maypop name refers to the loud popping sound made when fruits are stepped on.
Environment
Full sun, a southern exposure, is necessary for optimum growth and flowering. If flowers fail to open, it is usually due to insufficient light.
Bring the soil to a state of visual dryness between waterings. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil until a little water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Growing in a clay pot will help maintain a healthy root system.
Landscape Uses
May be used on trellises, arbors, walls or fences. The unique flower and edible fruit make this vine an extremely interesting plant for the garden.
