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Maypop Passion Flower
(Passiflora incarnata)
A native perennial found in stream bottoms, fencerows and disturbed ground, from East Texas to the Eastern Cross Timbers. Blooms June to August. The genus Passiflora consists of approximately 430 species, most native to tropical and warm areas of the Americas, Indomalesia, and the Pacific. Most are tender evergreen tropical vines and most are commonly called passion flowers, Passiflora incarnata is an exception in that it is deciduous and can survive winter freezes. The common name, passion flower given to the genus Passiflora, was derived from Catholic missionaries in South America who used the flowers as a lesson on the Crucifixion of Jesus (3 stigmas = 3 nails; 5 anthers = 5 wounds; corona = crown of thorns) (Diggs et al. 1999). P. incarnata gets the nicknamed “Maypop”, from the popping sound the fruit makes when mashed. Maypop is a fast growing vine that employs tendrils to grab hold of adjacent shrubs, structure and other supports to lift itself to heights of 8-12 ft. The large serrated leaves grow up to 5-6 inches wide and 6-8 inches long. They typically have three to five lobes and are arranged alternately on the stem with flowers and branches emerging from the axil (the base of the leaf stem where it attaches). All of the passion flowers have beautifully complex blossoms and P. incarnata is no exception. P. incarnata flowers are 2-3 inches in diameter and are composed of 10 white petals arranged in a shallow bowl shape above which is fringe of purple and white filaments are arranged, called the corona. In the center is the white fleshy stigma surrounded by five stamens. The seedpods or maypops are the size of a small hen's egg with yellow-green skin; they are juicy with seedy pulp. It is the fruit of a related species (P. edulis) that gives Hawaiian Punch® its distinctive taste. Ethobotany: Passiflora incarnata was long cultivated by Native Americans for the edible fruits (Diggs et al. 1999, Mabberley 1987). Passion flower can be used to create a cold beverage, or cooked into jellies and jams. A tasty treat is to suck the juicy flesh from around the seeds. Passion flower fruits provide vitamin A and niacin (Tull 1997). Please keep in mind that native passion flower vines are uncommon, and fruit should only be collected where the plant is found in quantity or cultivated. Modern research has identified seemingly endless uses for the plant since it was first investigated scientifically less than 100 years ago when it was found to possess an analgesic (pain-killing) property, and found to prevent, without side effects, sleeplessness caused by brain inflammation. Since then, the sedative properties of passion flower have been observed and documented in many studies. Primary chemical constituents of this herb include alkaloids (harman, harmine, harmaline, harmol, harmalol), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercitin, rutin), flavone glycosides, sterols, sugars, and gums. The flavonoids in passion flower are primarily responsible for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. Today, passion flower is an extremely popular herb in Europe where it is often used to induce relaxation & sleep, an effect first experimentally verified in 1920. In that study, the researcher noticed that, unlike what happens with narcotics, sleep was induced normally, with easy, light breathing, and with little or no neural or mental depression. Upon awakening, the patients showed no signs of confusion or stupor or melancholy. In 1979, about 50 preparations on the market in Germany contained passion flower - 42 were sedatives, and 6 were cardio-tonics. These preparations were recommended for nervous or easily aroused children, cardiovascular neurosis, bronchial asthma, coronary diseases, weak circulation, sleep disorders, problems of concentration in school children, and geriatrics. This herb is also used to treat female anxiety during menses, childbirth and menopause. Passion flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system. Passion flower has also been known to kill bacteria, making it a good choice for treating eye problems such as inflammation and infection. Topical applications of this herb have included use as a compress for swollen eyes, burns and skin irritations, and as a poultice or juice for burns and wounds. Above information found at http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs. Wildlife Value: Passionflower seeds are consumed in small amounts by various song birds. The plant is a larval food source for the butterfly family Heliconiidae, which includes the Variegated Fritillary and Gulf Fritillary among others. Members of the Heliconnidae family are distasteful to birds and other predators apparently due to the substances obtained from the leaves (Diggs et al. 1999, Howe 1975). Interestingly Passiflora species have evolved a number of anti-herbivore mechanisms including leaf shape variation (to escape detection by egg-laying butterflies), extrafloral nectarines (to attract ants and thus discourage herbivores), egg mimics that apparently discourage egg laying, hooked hairs, and toxins (Diggs et al. 1999, Gilbert 1980). Jeff Sparks (Natural Resources Coordinator) Last Update: |
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