Passiflora - passifloraceae is a genus of evergreen and semi-evergreen woody stemmed vines. Grown for their beautiful fragrant flowers, some species have egg shaped edible fruits that mature to an orange yellow in autumn. They are also widely used for their medicinal properties. First discovered by Jesuit priests in South America the passion flower has been historically used to relax motor nerves and reduce muscular spasms. It is beneficial in treating epilepsy, ophthalmia, restlessness, hemorrhoids and neuralgia.
The Algonquin Indians used the passion flower as a tonic for a calming effect on the nerves. There are records of tribes in the Yucatan who used it to treat children with convulsions, insomnia, and hysteria. The passion flower is used extensively in modern herbal medicine. It is best known for being an effective tranquilizer and sleep aid. This herb provides a safe and natural alternative for people who have insomnia or are addicted to tranquilizers and sleeping pills. The plant allows you to enjoy a peaceful child like sleep without the groggy side effects common with most over the counter sleep aides. Passionflower is commonly used in homeopathic medicine to relieve nervous insomnia, nervous heart and stomach complaints and is also very effective against dysmenorrhea, menopause and other discomforts of menstruation.
You can ease these conditions with a mild decoction using 1 - 1 1/2 oz of chopped leaves and flowers added to 1 1/2 pints of water. Heat to a boil and let it sit to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink three cups a day. The passion flower’s name is said to symbolize the agony or passion of the crucifixion of Christ. Italian theologian Giacoma Bosio wrote in 1610 of the “passion of our lord” and the flowers symbolic resemblance to the crucifixion of Christ. The five part blossoms with their stripes were the wounds on Jesus. The purple filaments symbolized the crown of thorns. The styles were the three nails and the stamen was the hammer that drove the nails into his hands and feet. The holy trinity is displayed by the three secondary calyx and attending leaf bracts. The stigmas represent Jesus and the two thieves. The petals and sepals represent the 10 apostles who were present and remained faithful at the crucifixion. The leaves portrayed the hands of the prosecutors and the clinging tendrils showed the scourges. Most species are only half-hardy and can’t be grown outside year round in zones colder than zone 9. They grow in fertile well-drained soil, preferring partial shade or filtered light. It is important to provide a sturdy support for the vines to climb on. Plants require large amounts of water during the growing season when they produce a lot of new growth. Reduce the water when the plants are less active. Plants should be pruned and thinned out in the spring. Passion flowers are easily propagated by spring sown seeds or semi-ripe cuttings in mid to late summer.
There are over 350 species of passion flower native to the sub tropic region of North America hemisphere. Some 40 species are native to the South Pacific Islands, Asia and Madagascar.
The American wild passion flower ~ passiflora incarnata is widely cultivated for it’s beautiful flowers and edible fruits. The rhizome produces several climbing shoots each spring that will reach 20 feet. This plant is quite hardy and will do well outdoors even in gardens in zones 6 with some winter protection. The leaves are finely serrated and three lobed. They have pale peach to butter yellow sweetly scented flowers born from July to October. Followed by large oval shaped fruit containing sweet delicate yellow pulp that is delicious.