| Passiflora incarnata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flower | |
 | |
| Fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Passifloraceae |
| Genus: | Passiflora |
| Species: | P. incarnata |
| Binomial name | |
| Passiflora incarnata L., 1753 | |
 | |
Passiflora incarnata, commonly known asmaypop,purple passionflower,true passionflower,wild apricot, andwild passion vine, is a fast-growingperennial vine with climbing or trailing stems. A member of the passionflower genusPassiflora, the maypop has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens. One of the hardiest species of passionflower, it is both found as awildflower in thesouthern United States and in cultivation for its fruit and striking bluish purple blooms.
The stems can be smooth or pubescent; they are long and trailing, possessing many tendrils.Leaves are alternate and palmately three lobed and occasionally five lobed,[2] measuring 6–15 centimetres (2.4–5.9 in).[2][3] They have two characteristic glands at the base of the blade on the petiole that secrete drops of sweet nectar.[3][4]Flowers have five bluish-white petals. They exhibit a white and purplecorona, a structure of fine appendages between the petals and stamens. The large flower is typically arranged in a ring above the petals and sepals. They arepollinated byinsects such asbumblebees andcarpenter bees, and are self-sterile. The flower normally begins to bloom in July.[5]
The fleshy fruit, also referred to as a maypop, is an oval yellowishberry about the size of a hen egg; it is green, though it may become yellow-green to yellow-orange as it matures. Like other passifloras, the pulp is gelatinous and encases the seeds. The color of the pulp is originally white and becomes a dull yellow when ripe. The seeds are black and approximately 5 mm in size. As with other passifloras, it is thelarval food of a number oflepidoptera species, including thezebra longwing, theGulf fritillary, thecrimson-patched longwing, theJulia, thePlebeian sphinx, and thevariegated fritillary.[6] In many cases its fruit is very popular with wildlife. The egg-shaped green fruits may pop when stepped on. This phenomenon gives theP. incarnata its common name, as well as the fact that its roots can remain dormant for most of the winter underground and then the rest of the plant "pops" out of the ground by May, unharmed by the snow.
The maypop occurs in thickets, disturbed areas, near riverbanks, and near unmowed pastures, roadsides, and railroads. It thrives in areas with plentiful sunlight. It is not found in shady areas beneath a forest canopy.[citation needed]
TheCherokee in theTennessee area called itocoee; theOcoee River and valley are named after this plant, which is the Tennesseestate wildflower.[7] The local salamanderDesmognathus ocoee in the Tennessee region is also named after the Cherokee word forP. incarnata. For thousands of years the maypop was a staple food and medicinal plant for the Cherokee and to this day it is a revered piece of their heritage. This, and other passionflowers are the exclusive larval host plants for theGulf fritillary and non-exclusive for thevariegated fritillary butterflies.[8]
Passiflora incarnata is easily cultivated and in its native range and homeland is a common low maintenance garden plant that can be trained to adorn fences and arbors.Passiflora incarnata fruit contain many seeds, each surrounded by anaril holding edible juice, and this juice can be consumed fresh or used to flavor processed products.[9] The wild maypop is an aggressive vine native to the southeastern United States extending into the central US reachingIllinois,Indiana, andOhio.[10] The vines can carpet the floor of thickets within days in favorable weather. The plants grow in full sun and need direct sunlight for at least half of the day. The best soils forP. incarnata are well-drained[11] but the plants tolerate occasionally wet and acidic soils. The plants have a high drought tolerance.P. incarnata can be planted all the year in zone 6–11 (hardiness zone). The space between two plants is 36–60 inches (91.44 – 152.4 cm).[10] One to two years are necessary before they begin bearing. Each flower has a very short life (about one day). Then the fruit develops in two to three months.[11] The harvest depends on vine size and age of the plant but one reported 10–20 fruits per vine. Seeds can be collected in the fall after the fruit has begun to shrivel. There are some problems with nematodes and caterpillars in the culture ofP. incarnata.[10]
The flowers appear suitable forcarpenter bee pollination[9] and may attracthummingbirds.[12] As both bees and hummingbirds look for nectar, the pollen filled flower anthers brush the back of the bee or the face of the hummingbird, enabling pollen to be readily transferred to the central sticky stigma.[13][14]
Passiflora incarnata can potentially become an agriculturalweed. The genusPassiflora introduced for agricultural purpose has been reported as an important weed in certain regions of the world.[15] The United States Department of Agriculture notes thatP. incarnata is referred to as a weed by these publications:[16]Weeds of Kentucky and adjacent states: a field guide[17] andWeeds of the United States and Canada.[18]
Mechanical control such as by removing thesuckers regularly is advised to prevent the spreading of maypop. It is also recommended to train thevines onto trellis and fences to limit propagation.[15]
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P. incarnata seeds exhibit negative photoblasty, and they are sensitive to soil temperature. When sown in darkness in very warm soil (35°C to 40°C), seeds germinate in 5 to 10 days at rates near 90%.[19][20]Prechilling, leaching, andgibberellic acid improve germination at suboptimal germination temperatures.[20] Without pretreatment, germination is often slow and incomplete at temperatures below 35°C.
Propagation by root is also reliable. A healthy 4- to 8-inch cutting guarantees strong sprouting within a month, regardless of the harvest time of the year. Thicker roots are more vigorous and can usually be found by digging no deeper than 2 inches in the soil.
The actual lifespan of the maypop plant is not documented. Therefore, how long the root-propagated plants would last, by age of the parent plant, is currently unknown. Maypops planted from seed seem healthier.
The roots themselves grow thick and long across the ground, mostly of a uniform diameter, and do not branch often. The smaller, more branching thin roots eventually grow into longer roots, which become thicker with age.
Once they find it and congregate, Japanese beetles eat massive amounts of the leaves and some of the flowers.
Historically, the plant has been used as aherbal medicine.[21][22][23]
Passionflower is included inpharmacopeias, such as the European and British Pharmacopoeias in which the dried aerial parts of the plant are mentioned. InNorth America andSouth America, tea made from the roots is used as atonic.[22] The U.S.Food and Drug Administration withdrew approval of its marketing because manufacturers did not submit any evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness.[24]
A 2013 literature review found that the herb has "a good safety profile".[22] One study found that a daily intake of 800 mg of a dried alcoholic extract, taken over the course of 8 weeks for anxiety, appeared to have been safe.[22]
Passionflower is used as a natural flavoring agent in food manufacturing and isgenerally recognized as a safe substance (GRAS).[25]
P. incarnata is also listed in the European Register of Feed additives as an animal feed additive.[26]
Possible interactions with following medications:[23][27]
P. incarnata may increase main effects or side effects of medications listed above.[27]
For oral consumption, pregnant or breastfeeding women should use caution and seek medical advice before orally consumingP. incarnata. The effects of oral ingestion of the plant compounds on reproduction or on unborn child have not been tested.[23][25]
P. incarnata containsflavonoids andalkaloids,[23][28][27] with leaves containing the greatest concentration of flavonoids. Other flavonoids present inP. incarnata includechrysin,apigenin,luteolin,quercetin,kaempferol, andisovitexin.[29]
The main bioactive substances identified inP. incarnata includepolyphenols,flavonoids,carotenoids,anthocyanins and other naturalantioxidants.[citation needed] The polyphenols mainly belonging to the flavonesC-glucoside class are present inP. incarnata and these phenols and flavonoids have high potentialantioxidant properties[30] that exhibit significantfree radical scavenging activity.[31]
Passionflower hasculinary fruits that may be used for jams, jellies and desserts.[citation needed] The juice is a favorite flavoring in drinks. It can be used as a fresh substitute for its commercially grown South American relative,Passiflora edulis, a related species with similar sized fruit.[citation needed] The fruit can be eaten by hand; it has a mildly sweet-tart taste similar to an apricot and a pleasant scent when fully ripe. The Passiflora family havearomatic, sweet fruit that make it highly appreciated for fresh consumption and as a flavoring aid.[32]
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