Passion Flower or Maypop
Called by many names, passion flower or Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) belongs to the genus Passiflora, which encompasses more than 400 species. Its distinctive flowers and fast-vining habit mark the passionflower. It grows natively in all parts of the Americas. In addition, it bears useful properties used to relieve many types of ills.
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Description
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A perennial vine, Maypop grows in cooler climates until frost kills it back. It produces leaves with three lobes that range from 6 to 8 inches long and 5 to 6 inches wide. Due to its vigorous growing habit, around 10 to 12 feet per year, the passion flower climbs over anything near it, sending out tendrils that latch on to fences, shrubs and trees. It continues to grow until the first frost kills it back to the ground.
Flower
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The crowning glory of Maypop lies in its beautiful 3- to 5-inch flowers. Pink and purple, these complex blooms bear 10 inverted white petals with a fringe of purple filaments shooting out from the center and stretching out longer than the petals. In the center stand five stamens.
According to the University of Florida Extension, flowers bloom in summer through early fall, each lasting only one day. However, each vine grows heavy with the multitude of these blossoms during blooming season.
Fruit
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Along with the flowers, writes University of Florida Extension, oval green fruits grow on the passion flower vine. The edible, spongy fruit resembles an apricot and grows between 1 and 3 inches long. Inside the fruit lies a mass of pulp, dotted with seeds.
Uses
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The passion flower appeals to both aesthetics and alternative medicine practitioners. For the garden, this vine grows best when trellised and attracts butterflies. For medical purposes, aerial parts---the stem, leaves and flowers---of the passion flower are used to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety and pain, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
In addition, herbalists use it as a treatment for ailments including headaches and migraines, high blood pressure and even Parkinson's disease. For medical use, passion flower gets consumed as an herbal tea.
Properties
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The flavonoids, writes the University of Michigan Health System, provide the relaxing and anti-anxiety properties of passion flower, which makes it a safe, nonaddictive herbal tranquilizer. The particular flavonoid apigenin lends to the plant its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, according to the herbal website, Herbs 2000. It also has painkilling properties, as evident in its use to relieve headaches and pain.
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- Photo Credit Passion Flower image by Boster from Fotolia.com
