Figure 77.—Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)

Other Common Names

Passionflower, passion vine

Habitat And Range

This species of maypop grows in dry 60;1 or thickets from Virginia to Missouri and south to Florida and Texas.

Description

This plant is a smooth vine with finely hairy stems climbing to a height of 10 to 30 feet. Its smooth or somewhat hairy leaves, 3 to 5 inches broad, consist of three oval or egg-shaped lobes with finely toothed margins. The flowers, which appear from May to July, are solitary and are characterized by a lavender and purple or pink and purple fringe 1 1/2 to 2 inches broad. The plant produces smooth, yellow, many-seeded, edible fruit almost 2 inches long, called maypops.

Part Used

The herb.