Purple passionflower
Purple passionflower’s maypops are edible.
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a native vine that can climb or sprawl. Its large, fantastical fringed flowers could have been drawn by Dr. Seuss. Its 3-lobed leaves feed the voracious caterpillars of numerous butterflies, including gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, crimson patch longwing, and red-banded hairstreak. Flowers are followed by a green, leathery fruit that turns yellow when ripe and “pops” when crushed. Ripened maypops can be eaten or made into jelly. Purple passionflower is a rambunctious climber, and its roots can spread aggressively. One of six Passiflora species native to Florida, purple passionflower grows in much of the state. However, numerous cultivars and non-natives are sold, sometimes as native. Purple passionflower can be found near the west picnic pavilion at Sopchoppy Depot Park.