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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked in jellies, jams etc[1][2][3][4][5]183]. A sweet flavour[6], it is best when used as a jelly[7]. High in niacin[8]. Fairly large, the fruit is up to 5cm in diameter[9] 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[10].

Flowers - cooked as a vegetable or made into syrup[10].

Flowers

Fruit

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Passiflora incarnata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Maypops is a valuable sedative and tranquillising herb with a long history of use in North America[11]. It is frequently used in the treatment of insomnia, epilepsy, hysteria etc[11].

The leaves and stems are antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, vasodilator and are also used in the treatment of women's complaints[6][12][3][4][5][13][14][15][16]. The plant is harvested after some of the berries have matured and is then dried for later use[6]. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, irritability, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, pre-menstrual tension and vaginal discharges[6][3][13][14][15]. An extract of the plant depresses the motor nerves of the spinal cord[17], it is also slightly sedative, slightly reduces blood pressure and increases respiratory rate[18]. The plant contains alkaloids and flavonoids that are an effective non-addictive sedative that does not cause drowsiness[16]. The plant is not recommended for use during pregnancy[16]. A poultice of the roots is applied to boils, cuts, earaches, inflammation etc[18]. The dried plant is exported from America to Europe for medicinal usage[15].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[6].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[19]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold.

Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring[20]. Leaf bud cuttings in spring.

Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage[2].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Passiflora incarnata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season, otherwise it is not fussy[20]. Another report says that it prefers a well-drained sandy slightly acid soil in full sun[16].

In a well-drained soil the roots are hardy to about -20°c, although top growth is killed back by frost[8][9]. The top growth is cut back almost to the ground each year by some people and the plant treated as a herbaceous perennial[19]. The roots should be mulched in winter to prevent them from freezing. Plants thrive in a short growing season[8]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of tendrils[18]. Resistant to pests and diseases[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. Cultivated for its edible fruit by the North American Indians[1][4]. Plants yield from 5 to 20 fruits annually in the wild[8].

Outdoor grown plants should have their roots restricted in order to encourage fruit production instead of excessive vegetative growth[20]. Hand pollinate using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Passiflora incarnata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Passiflora incarnata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Passiflora incarnata
Genus
Passiflora
Family
Passifloraceae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    6 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista ISBN 0-289-70864-8 (1979-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.2 RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    21. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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