Maypops

            This week I discovered a very interesting plant along the gate in my back yard. Passiflora incarnata, also commonly known as maypop, passionflower, or wild apricot, is a fast growing perennial vine known for its vibrant purple flowers. The bright flower attracts butterflies and caterpillars, is a good source of vitamins and fiber, and it is even moderately resistant to deer damages! The fruit, when ripe, is yellow-green and bulblike. It is classified as a passion fruit, and its pulp is used in many jams, jellies, and even desserts! The root of the plant is also often used in herbal medications for its soothing and sleep promoting properties, treating disorders such as insomnia and anxiety. Maypops are considered mildly invasive. Their aggressive growth through tendrils and rhizomes help them to grow 20-25 feet in as little as a year!



(Information found at phillyorchards.org)

(All pictures used on this account were photographed by Alyssa Walton)

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