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Dwarf Passionflower Passiflora lutea

Phonetic Spelling
pas-si-FLOR-ah-uh LOO-tee-uh
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Eastern yellow passionflower is an herbaceous perennial vine in the passion vine family (Passifloraceae). It is found in a wide area across the south-central and southeastern United States, including North Carolina. The genus name, Passiflora, relates to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Roman Catholic priests in Latin America used parts of the flower to symbolize the Passion of Christ. The species epithet, lutea, is Latin for “deep, buttercup yellow,” which is an exaggeration of the flower color.

Plant this vine in fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. To encourage robust root growth and ensure its return the following spring, put young plants in the ground as early in the growing season as possible. It produces deep underground rhizomes, so plants can spread from the initial planting. It often grows serendipitously through shrubs and other landscape materials with virtually no inputs of water or fertilizer. This is an easy-to-grow native plant.

The bright green leaves are wider than they are long and softly lobed in three parts. The flowers are small, about 1 inch or less across, pale greenish yellow to off-white, blooming in late summer to fall. The flowers are followed by small black berries that are eaten by birds and mammals. This vine is an important wildlife plant, attracting bees, butterflies, birds and mammals while being resistant to damage by deer. See this article for information and photos of the passionflower bee

It is happy in a container, will grow on a trellis or fence or sprawl on the ground, and is at home in a butterfly or pollinator garden. In cold areas, containers may need to be brought indoors over the winter. This plant is much better behaved in the garden than P. incarnata.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is sometimes attacked by the passionflower flea beetle, but the damage will not kill the plant. This plant is the larval host for the Gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, and variegated fritillary butterflies.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#long bloom time#pollinator plant#black fruits#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#julia butterfly#zebra longwing#gulf fritillary butterfly#variegated fritillary butterfly#container plant#zebra heliconian#fence#trellis#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#long bloom time#pollinator plant#black fruits#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#julia butterfly#zebra longwing#gulf fritillary butterfly#variegated fritillary butterfly#container plant#zebra heliconian#fence#trellis#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Passiflora
    Species:
    lutea
    Family:
    Passifloraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and south-central USA
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Host plant to the Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Heliconia, and Variegated Fritillary Butterfly. It is a pollen source for the passionflower bee (Anthemurgus passiflorae).
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Vine
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dark purple, black to blue marble sized fruit displays from August to October and has a very bitter taste though they are enjoyed by birds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1-inch unusual yellow flowers bloom from June to September.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 3-lobed, 1 to 3 inches long and 3 to 6 inches wide. Sometimes leaves will have subtly variegation with silver in summer.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Slugs
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Severe nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and episodes of irregular heartbeat.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Stems