I'm Passionate About Passion Flowers

I received a start of the Passion Flower vine from my Dad, and although he is no longer with me, this hardy  vine faithfully returns and continues to amaze me every summer!  As soon as the weather gets really hot here in Indiana, up pops this lovely vine.  I  watch it daily, anxiously awaiting its beautiful blossoms.   I just wanted to share this with you!   Thanks Dad!

The story of the Passion Flower can be found at the bottom of this post.  Enjoy!

Passiflora incarnata L.

Purple passionflower, Purple passion vine, Maypop, Apricot vine

Passifloraceae (Passion-Flower Family)

This unusual flower is widely distributed in the Southeast, especially from Florida to Texas. The plants were given the name Passionflower or Passionvine because the floral parts were once said to represent aspects of the Christian crucifixion story, sometimes referred to as the Passion. The 10 petal-like parts represent Jesuss disciples, excluding Peter and Judas; the 5stamens the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas the nails; the fringe the crown of thorns. The name Maypop comes from the hollow, yellow fruits that pop loudly when crushed.