Saturday, July 12, 2008

Maypop....Passiflor incarnata, a native Passionflower

There are dozens and dozens of species of Paassionflower, and less than a handful are hardy north of the tropics. This one is; it's unusual when the temperate sibling isn't outshone by its tropical relatives, but this is obviously a spectacular flower. And it's hardy in Zone 7 and vigorous; in fact if it has a fault it is that it is too "enthusiastic", it tends to take over. But look at it! Can you have too much of a good thing. And it produces edible egg-sized fruits (you eat the seeds), but be certain to wait till they're ripe. These flowers are on a Fern Valley Plant right on the road across from the Coastal Plain. Actually, these flowers and the associated foliage is spread out on asphalt.

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