Passion flower
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Passiflora edulis Passiflora incarnata |
Passion flower refers to vines in the Genus Passiflora—flowering plants known for their showy flowers. The plants were named for the passion of Christ, because the flower structure seemed symbolic of Jesus' scourging, crowning with thorns, and crucifixion. Passion flowers are native to tropical and sub-tropical America. However, a number of species of Passiflora are cultivated outside their natural range because of their beautiful flowers.
Passifloras have a unique blossom structure: one which requires a large bee to effectively pollinate (see photo below). In the American tropics, wooden beams are mounted near passionfruit plantings to encourage Carpenter bees to nest.
The passion fruit vine of commerce, Passiflora edulis, is cultivated extensively in the Caribbean and south Florida for its fruit, used as source of juice.
Maypop (Passiflora incarnata), a common wildflower in the southern US, is a subtropical representative of this mostly tropical family. Its fruit is edible, but is quite seedy and mostly benefits wildlife. As with other passifloras, it is the larval food of a number of butterfly species.
