Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Size: 1 Gallon availability

Vine
25’ long

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry, Very Dry
Clay, Sand, Loam
Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
Low tolerance of salt spray but no tolerance of salty inundation

Also known as: Apricot Vine, Maypop, Passionflower, Purple Passion Flower, Passion Vine

This perennial vine is prized for its showy, fragrant flowers and the fruit they produce when pollinated. It goes dormant in winter but comes back from root stock in spring; unusually cold winters like those with snow can lead to a later reemergence. Naturally occurs in disturbed brushy areas, sandhill, and scrubs. If the vine is happy, it can put off shoots 10-15 feet away from the mother plant; they can be managed by hand-pulling or mowing.

The vine is a larval host plant for numerous butterflies, including gulf fritillaries and zebra longwings. The thick, mounding foliage offers habitat for a variety of wildlife.

The common name ‘Maypop’ refers to the edible fruit the vine puts off. The flavor is often described as sweet and tart, but not strong. Make sure to enjoy when they’re ripe; don’t harvest too early! Incredible medicinal plant; more info TBA.

Additional sources: NAEB, Atlas of Florida Plants, D. Austin, FNPS, FWF