purple passionflower
Family
PassifloraceaeScientific Name
Passiflora incarnata
Other Common Names:
maypop
Habit
The maypop passionflower is a vine that can reach over 6.5 feet in length and may be longer and grows from 8 to 12 feet high. It spreads most commonly by perennial rootstocks. It also produces seedlings which may sprout. Growth occurs mainly in spring and summer, and is especially good in moist, sunny areas. Seedlings are hardy and may survive cold winter temperatures.
Leaves
Leaves of the maypop passionflower are arranged alternately. They usually have 3 lobes that arrise from petioles, though they may have 5 on occasion. Leaves may also be slightly hairy, and the lobes rise from a common stem. The leaves are usually from 2.5 to 5.5 inches long.
Identifying Characteristics
The special characteristics to the maypop passionflower are the tri-lobed leaves and purple color of the flowers.
Flower Seed Head
The flowers of the maypop are very complex and have a diameter of two to three inches. They have ten white sepals in a small, bowl-shape and are surrounded with purple and white filaments. The center has 5 stamens which surround a white fleshy stigma.
Seed Fruit
The fruit of a maypop passionflower are relatively large at one and a half to three inches long. They are green or yellow-green in color and contain dimpled brown seedlings.
Where Found
The maypop passionflower is found commonly in the southeast United States. It usually grows as far west as Texas and as far north as Pennsylvania. It prefers moist, partly sunny areas such as ditches and road sides.
Growth Habit
Varies:
upright and nonwoody,
vine
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
larger
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
blue,
purple,
pink
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
serrated
Leaf Structure
palmate
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Vine