Other passionflowers
Several Passiflora have edible fruit; some leaves are toxic.
Use the botanical sourceExtra care needed
Purple passionflower.
Passiflora incarnata
Also found as Maypop
A southeastern American vine with intricate purple fringed flowers and egg-shaped fruits that pop when stepped on.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Can cause drowsiness; avoid with sedatives and in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 24,846
- People who recorded it
- 12,255
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Jun–Sep
- Records span
- 1969–2026
| January | 74 |
|---|---|
| February | 69 |
| March | 410 |
| April | 2135 |
| May | 2865 |
| June | 4116 |
| July | 5025 |
| August | 5058 |
| September | 3109 |
| October | 1306 |
| November | 504 |
| December | 175 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Climbing vine with tendrils and three-lobed leaves.
- 02
Intricate flowers with purple and white fringes.
- 03
Green, egg-shaped fruits that yellow and wrinkle when ripe.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Southeastern United States.
Watch the plant stage
Flowers in summer; fruits in late summer to autumn.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Fruit · Leaf
Eat ripe fruit pulp. Leaves are used for a calming tea.
Care for the patch
Leave vines for gulf fritillary butterflies, which lay eggs on them.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Passiflora incarnataBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Passiflora incarnataTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction