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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Maypop
| image = BeeFlower2.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Passiflora incarnata'' flower and bee
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Passifloraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Passiflora]]''
| species = '''''P. incarnata'''''
| binomial = ''Passiflora incarnata''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Maypop''' (''Passiflora incarnata''), also known as '''Purple passionflower''', is a fast growing [[Perennial plant|perennial]] vine with climbing or trailing stems. A member of the passionflower genus ''Passiflora'', the Maypop has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens. One of the hardiest species of passionflower, it is a common [[wildflower]] in the southern [[United States]].
The stems can be smooth or pubescent; they are long and trailing, possessing many tendrils. [[Leaf|Leaves]] are alternate and palmately 3-lobed, measuring from 6-15 cm. They have two characteristic glands at the base of the blade on the petiole. [[Flower]]s have five bluish-white petals. They exhibit a white and purple ''corona'', a structure of fine appendages between the petals and corolla. The large flower is typically arranged in a ring above the petals and sepals. They are [[Pollination|pollinated]] by [[insect]]s such as [[bumblebee]]s, and are self-sterile.
The fleshy fruit, also in itself called a Maypop, is an oval yellowish berry about the size of a hen egg; it is green at first, but then becomes orange as it matures. In this species, the yellow [[mucilage]] around the seeds of the fruit is sweet and edible, however it is quite seedy and mostly benefits wildlife. As with other passifloras, it is the [[larva]]l food of a number of [[butterfly]] species.
Traditionally, the fresh or dried whole plant has been used as a herbal medicine to treat nervous anxiety and insomnia. The dried, ground herb is frequently used in [[Europe]] by drinking a teaspoon of it in tea. A sedative chewing gum has even been produced.
The Maypop occurs in thickets, disturbed areas, unmowed pastures, roadsides and railroads. It thrives in areas with lots of available sunlight. In areas of growing forest, they will disappear as the sun is blotted out by growing trees.
Other common names include Wild apricot and May apple.
==References==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/passiflo.cfm Floridata.com: ''Passiflora incarnata'']
* [http://www.missouriplants.com/Bluealt/Passiflora_incarnata_page.html ''Passiflora incarnata'': information and pictures]
* [http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/OUTLINE_FW030 University of Florida Extension]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PAIN6 USDA plant profile for Purple passionflower] includes photographs of flowers and fruits.
* [http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/pflower.html Plant and herbal information] By Stephen Foster.
[[Image:Photos-photos 1088121309 BeelyBee.jpg|thumb|233px|Maypop pollination]]
[[Image:Passiflora fruit 8043.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Passiflora incarnata, fruit at mid-summer]]
[[Category:Passifloraceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Southeastern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Plains-Midwest U.S.]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Maypop
| image = BeeFlower2.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Passiflora incarnata'' flower and bee
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Passifloraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Passiflora]]''
| species = '''''P. incarnata'''''
| binomial = ''Passiflora incarnata''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Maypop''' (''Passiflora incarnata''), also known as '''Purple passionflower''', is a fast growing [[Perennial plant|perennial]] vine with climbing or trailing stems. A member of the passionflower genus ''Passiflora'', the Maypop has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens. One of the hardiest species of passionflower, it is a common [[wildflower]] in the southern [[United States]].
The stems can be smooth or pubescent; they are long and trailing, possessing many tendrils. [[Leaf|Leaves]] are alternate and palmately 3-lobed, measuring from 6-15 cm. They have two characteristic glands at the base of the blade on the petiole. [[Flower]]s have five bluish-white petals. They exhibit a white and purple ''corona'', a structure of fine appendages between the petals and corolla. The large flower is typically arranged in a ring above the petals and sepals. They are [[Pollination|pollinated]] by [[insect]]s such as [[bumblebee]]s, and are self-sterile.
The fleshy fruit, also in itself called a Maypop, is an oval yellowish berry about the size of a hen egg; it is green at first, but then becomes orange as it matures. In this species, the yellow [[mucilage]] around the seeds of the fruit is sweet and edible, however it is quite seedy and mostly benefits wildlife. As with other passifloras, it is the [[larva]]l food of a number of [[butterfly]] species.
Traditionally, the fresh or dried whole plant has been used as a herbal medicine to treat nervous anxiety and insomnia. The dried, ground herb is frequently used in [[Europe]] by drinking a teaspoon of it in tea. A sedative chewing gum has even been produced.
The Maypop occurs in thickets, disturbed areas, unmowed pastures, roadsides and railroads. It thrives in areas with lots of available sunlight. In areas of growing forest, they will disappear as the sun is blotted out by growing trees.
Other common names include Wild apricot and May apple.
==References==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/passiflo.cfm Floridata.com: ''Passiflora incarnata'']
* [http://www.missouriplants.com/Bluealt/Passiflora_incarnata_page.html ''Passiflora incarnata'': information and pictures]
* [http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/OUTLINE_FW030 University of Florida Extension]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PAIN6 USDA plant profile for Purple passionflower] includes photographs of flowers and fruits.
* [http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/pflower.html Plant and herbal information] By Stephen Foster.
[[Image:Photos-photos 1088121309 BeelyBee.jpg|thumb|233px|Maypop pollination]]
[[Image:Passiflora fruit 8043.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Passiflora incarnata, fruit at mid-summer]]
[[Category:Passifloraceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Southeastern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Plains-Midwest U.S.]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]