Passion Vine Passiflora incarnata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pass-iff-FLOR-uh in-kar-NAH-tuh
- Description
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Passion flower is a rapid-growing, trailing vine that climbs by axillary tendrils. It is woody in warm winter climates but dies to the ground in cold winter climates. It is native to the southeastern U.S.A. and in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. In its natural habitat, it is found in sandy soils along stream banks, roadsides, woodland edges, meadows, and pastures.
Maypop is a common name for this vine, relating to the loud popping sound made when the fruits are stepped on. The genus name Passiflora is Latin for passio which means passion and flos which means flower. Incarnata is Latin for flesh-colored.
Although this vine is tolerant of drought, a loose mulch can help to keep the roots cool. Under optimum growing conditions it spreads by root suckers to cover large areas. This is the hardiest of the passion flower vines and it does not have to climb in order to produce flowers like other passion flowers. If a bushy growth habit is preferred, pinch the vines back after the first growing season.
This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. The showy flowers and edible fruit make it an excellent choice for an edible or children's garde, an arbor, pergola, trellis, fence, or wall near a patio where its showy flowers can be enjoyed.
Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Late summer/fall
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. The roots can spread aggressively and in poorly-drained wet soils root rot can occur, especially in the winter.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Native/ Woodland Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Passiflora
- Species:
- incarnata
- Family:
- Passifloraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It was used medicinally by Native Americans. They would poultice the root to be used for boils, cuts, bruises, earaches, and inflammation. It was also cooked in teas that were used to sooth nerves. The Inca's would brew this plant in tonic.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. U.S.A., Bermuda
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- extreme flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for several butterflies. The Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) appear from January-November in the north and throughout the year in southern Florida and Texas. Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) has four broods from February-December in the souther and three broods from April-October in the north. Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonia) appears all year in Florida and Texas and appears in other northern states during warm months. Hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the flowers in the summer. Its fruit may be eaten by songbirds, small mammals and some larger mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Edibility:
- Ripened maypops can be eaten fresh off the vine or made into jelly. Showy flowers are edible with a vegetal flavor, best used as a garnish. The leaves can be used for tea.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy, leathery egg-shaped, fruits called maypops appear from July to October and mature to a yellowish color with brown seeds in fall. They "pop" when crushed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Crown
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White with purple crown fringed flowers having 10 white petals and sepals and a central crown of pinkish-purple filaments. The flowers bloom in summer and are fragrant. Flowers bloom from May to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are three-lobed and dark green above light below toothed with a pair of prominent glands on the leaf stalk. It has a yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Its bark is green and smooth and coarsely grained.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat