stxflora

Passiflora foetida hirsuta

Family: Passifloraceae

Plant Description: Herbaceous, annual, ill-scented, hairy vine. Usually sticky with glandular hairs and with tendrils, stems to 2 m or longer. Alternate leaves, palmately 3-lobed, 4-7 cm wide and about as long. Petals 1-5 cm long, purplish to white, radial, partially covered by several rings of threadlike appendages. Fruits 2-2.5 cm long, finally, surrounded by a net-like green covering initially.

Field Identification: Prostrate or climbing vine with cordate, red (mostly hollow) frit encapsulated by green webbing (calyx)

Plant Trivia: Spanish common name translates as “crown of Christ.” Maypop name comes from the sound made by stepping on the fruit.

Occurrence: Common on well watered soils in pastures, woods, and waste places

Bloom Period: April – November

Plant Use: Host plant for Heliconia, Gulf Fritillary, and Mexican Silverspot butterflies.

Key to the Genus Passiflora:

1. Petals lacking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

              Petals white to blue-lavender………………………………………………………………………………..3

          2. Glands on petiole sessile, more than 0.5 mm or longer in diameter …..  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..P. tenuiloba

              Glands on petiole stalked, less than 0.5 mm in diameter…………….P. suberosa

          3. Bracts at top of peduncle 4-7 mm long, entire or finely toothed…P. incarnata

              Bracts 2-3 cm long, pinnately divided………………………………………………….P. foetida