Passion flower Passiflora lutea

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.