How does a passionflower fool a butterfly?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 1, 2001

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Plant of the Week 7/30/2001

Passionflower (Passiflora) Plant of the Week 7/30/2001
Alien Passiflora Desktop

Passionflowers (Genus: Passiflora) are the exclusive hosts (the plant a caterpillar must eat in order to survive) to over seventy species of butterflies known collectively as the Heliconids. Although, passionflowers are poisonous to most herbivores, the Heliconid caterpillars can sequester chemicals from the passionflower that make them distasteful to predators. But too many caterpillars can seriously jeopardize the passionflower's ability to flower and reproduce. It appears that the plants counter-attack.

The new leaves on some passionflower vines will grow in a different shape, possibly making it harder for the butterfly to find a leaf on which to lay her eggs. Some leaves develop raised yellow or brown spots that look like butterfly eggs and coiled tendrils along the vine often look like caterpillars. These shapes, spots, and odd tendrils are believed to discourage the butterfly from laying her eggs on a vine that appears already populated.

"Passion flowers in UK" has photographs of possibly the rarest passionflower, Passiflora parritae taken at Strybling Arboretum in California. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.passionflow.co.uk/parritae1.htm

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Maypop (Passion Flower)

Springhill Nursery®

Unique flowers and edible fruit on the luscious Maypop, North American name for Passion Flower! Hardy perennial vine bears 1 1/2 to 2" bowl-shaped blooms with green centers accented by purple to cream filaments. Yellow egg-shaped fruit is a pleasure to see or eat!

Freezes to ground in winter, returns each spring. Plant 4-6' apart. Shipped in 4'' pot.

Passiflora incarnata

Hardiness Zone: 5 - 8 (-20° F, with heavy mulching)

Maypop Ships In The Spring Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Unique Characteristics: Ideal for covering a wall or trellis, this hardy perennial vine bears very unique flowers. Flowers are 1 1/2-2'' wide with thread-like extensions in cream with purple around the center. Native to the Eastern U.S., Maypop freezes to the ground each winter, only to re-shoot, flower and produce edible fruit each growing season. Flowering Vines - Save $20 on $50 order

Chelsie's Note: The Spanish living in the West Indies called these plants granadilla, because the delicious fruit somewhat resembles the granadas or pomegranate. The botanical and common names came in a roundabout way. These names were derived from Flos Passionis, a name bestowed upon these plants by the Spanish friars who came to the Americas to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. With the differences in languages, the friars needed teaching tools and the passionflower made for good symbolism when teaching of the suffering and crucifixion of Christ.

The Spanish friars' legend of the passionflower runs thus: The three bracts at the base of the flower represent the trinity of God. The ten petal-like structures represent the ten apostles present at the crucifixion, Peter being absent because he denied Christ and Judas because he betrayed Christ. In some versions, the fringe petals represent the lash wounds from the whips of the Romans, in other versions; they represent the crown of thorns. The five anthers signified the wounds to Christ's body. The three stigmas at the top represent the nails in the hands and feet. From Plant of the Week 7/30/2001

Passion Flower

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Lush Twining Tendrils

Commemorates the Crucifixion, according to legend.

White flowers wearing a spike crown of violet are unusual and unique. Large blooms are followed by egg-shaped deep orange fruits that have a flavor reminiscent of blackberries and are good for baking. Benefits from hoop or trellis support and enjoys full sun.

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Orange Glory Flower

Springhill Nursery®

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterflies can't resist the bright color and sweet nectar of this North American native plant. Orange flower clusters top 15-24" stems in mid to late summer. Great for fresh or dried bouquets. Flourishes under drought conditions. Zones 4-9

Space 18-24" apart. #1 field-grown plants. Deer tend to avoid.

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Black Knight Butterfly Bush

Springhill Nursery®

Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight'

Graceful trusses smothered with dark purple flowers attract flocks of butterflies. Long blooming season, from mid-summer into autumn.

6-15' tall with similar spread. Shipped in 4" pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 4 to 9 Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

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Asclepias, 'Gay Butterfly Mix'

Springhill Nursery®

Asclepias tuberosa

Tiny, pendulous blossoms in shades of orange, red, pink and lemon-yellow are sure to lure butterflies to your garden! Cut flowers and pods are beautiful in either fresh or dried arrangements.

Easy-to-grow plants bloom profusely from June to August. Grow 18-36" tall with a similar spread. Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 2 to 8 Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

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