Question of the Week – Passionflower

This week, the question was: What is this crazy looking flower?

This is a passion flower (Passiflora incarnata). Passion flower is fast-growing vine that is native to the Southeast. It shows up on the edges of fields and wooded areas, and many grow it in their yards as an ornamental. The flowers are attractive to bees butterflies, and hummingbirds, and the leaves are the larval food source for gulf fritillary butterflies. It makes a green-colored fruit, often called a “maypop.” Read more about passion flower here.

This week’s question is from Justin Ballew, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Research Associate.