Maypops - Passion Flower, Purple passionflower, Apricot Vine, Maypop, Wild Passion Flower, Purple Pa

Passiflora incarnata

Physical Characteristics

Passiflora incarnata is an evergreen Climber growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Virginia and Kentucky, south to Florida and Texas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked in jellies, jams etc[2, 3, 21, 46, 61]183]. A sweet flavour[4], it is best when used as a jelly[95]. High in niacin[160]. Fairly large, the fruit is up to 5cm in diameter[200] though it contains relatively little edible pulp and a lot of seeds[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked. Said to be delicious as a cooked vegetable or when eaten in salads[183]. Flowers - cooked as a vegetable or made into syrup[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antidepressant Antispasmodic Astringent Diaphoretic Epilepsy Homeopathy Hypnotic Narcotic Sedative Vasodilator Women's complaints Maypops is a valuable sedative and tranquillising herb with a long history of use in North America[254]. It is frequently used in the treatment of insomnia, epilepsy, hysteria etc[254]. The leaves and stems are antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, vasodilator and are also used in the treatment of women's complaints[4, 7, 21, 46, 61, 165, 192, 207, 238]. The plant is harvested after some of the berries have matured and is then dried for later use[4]. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, irritability, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, pre-menstrual tension and vaginal discharges[4, 21, 165, 192, 207]. An extract of the plant depresses the motor nerves of the spinal cord[213], it is also slightly sedative, slightly reduces blood pressure and increases respiratory rate[222]. The plant contains alkaloids and flavonoids that are an effective non-addictive sedative that does not cause drowsiness[238]. The plant is not recommended for use during pregnancy[238]. A poultice of the roots is applied to boils, cuts, earaches, inflammation etc[222]. The dried plant is exported from America to Europe for medicinal usage[207]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[4]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Passiflora incarnata for nervousness & insomnia (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Known Hazards

Sedation. Hypersensitivity reactions noted. Can potentiate the action of central nervous system depressants like alcohol [301].