Passiflora incarnata (Native)

Habitat: Found naturally along roadsides, pastures, and open woods.

*It is native in DC; adventive (non-native, escaped from cultivation) in DE’s Coastal Plain; and absent in PA. In VA, it is common in the Coastal Plain and outer southern Piedmont, infrequent elsewhere in the Piedmont, and rare in the mountains. It is native to NoVA, except for Loudoun County.

Wildlife value: Hummingbirds and butterflies feed on nectar from the flowers. Fruit may be eaten by songbirds, small mammals and some larger mammals. Wild turkeys eat young tendrils. Larval host for Gulf and Variegated Fritillary butterflies

Notes:  The exotic flowers and edible fruit of Purple Passionflower make this unique vine a striking ornamental plant for the garden. The common name, Maypop, refers to the fruit, which makes a loud popping sound when stomped on.

Edibility: Ripened maypops can be eaten fresh off the vine or made into jelly.

Poisonous to Humans

Poison Severity: Medium

Poison Symptoms: Severe nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and episodes of irregular heartbeat. Consumption of leaves in "herbal medicine" is not recommended.

Poison Part: Leaves, Stems