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Passiflora incarnata

Image of Passiflora incarnata

James H. Schutte

Family

Passifloraceae

Botanical Name

Passiflora incarnata

Plant Common Name

Wild Passion Flower

General Description

Maypop or purple passion flower is a perennial vine native to the southeastern United States. It is evergreen in frost free locations and deciduous in colder locations. Dark green, lobed leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. The vines climb by tendrils produced in the leaf axils (joint between the leaves and stems) on fuzzy branches. Beautiful flowers appear summer through fall. The complex flowers are composed of white fleshy reproductive structures surrounded by a fringe of purple and white filaments and many white to lavender petals. The fruit soon follows thought out the season and is egg-shaped, green to yellow-green and edible.

Maypop is an aggressive growing vine and soon covers structures or other plants, particularly in disturbed areas. It prefers to grow in full sun but will tolerate light shade for a short portion of the day. Well-drained soil is requires, maypop is drought tolerant but looks best with irrigation in dry times. This passion vine is frost and freeze sensitive and will not tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures. Grow it in containers where not hardy. Maypop can be weedy, spreading by suckers and rooted vines; in some areas it is a threaten species. It is the nectar source and larval food for several butterfly species which can cause the leaves to look tattered and chewed. Grow maypop as a ground cover, on trellises or other supports for the lovely flowers and abundance of butterflies it attracts.

Characteristics

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Vine/Liana

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    10'-30' / 3.0m - 9.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States, Texas

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Vining/Climbing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Blue, Lavender

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Multi-Color

  • Fruit Color

    Green, Orange, Yellow Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Green, Tan

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Edible, Feature Plant, Herb / Vegetable, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical, Vine, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No