The Passionate Flower

The Passion Flower is a vine with a healthy appetite! Regardless of this one problem, it is a plant that is a beauty to behold and a definite conversation starter. People who see this flower for the first time is amazed at its beauty and incredible formation. Their first reaction may be "That ain't real!"

The Passion Flower has a unique legend surrounding its formation. A priest by the name of Jacomo Bosio was given a drawing of the flower from the New World. The flower became a representation of the passion of Christ upon the Cross. The five petals and five sepals represented the 10 faithful disciples (excluding Judas and Peter). The 72 filaments were the number of thorns in Jesus' cross. (some may say the whips) The five stamens are the number of wounds Jesus received and the three pistil stigmas the nails. The bloom lasts for one day. At night it will fold back into a cone and die. This represented Christ in the tomb.The flower was also known as the Flower of the Five Wounds. If you wish to read the full story, here is the address www.passiflora-uk.co.uk/passion-flower-legend.shtml.

The plant requires a place in which to climb to see its full beauty. A trellis or fence is perfect. Be sure and not plant close to your other flowers since this plant is quite invasive. The plant also produces the passion fruit. The fruit has a dark, purple, leathery-like outer skin that is very bitter. Underneath this skin is the edible fruit. The fruit yeilds about 1 teaspoon of pulp. It is good in seafood sauces, desserts, and beverages.

Many of God's creatures can be found on or near this plant. Bees, walking sticks, wasps, and butterflies can be found. It attracts ants that feed on the nectar produced by the leaves of the plant. This plant does contain poisions that longwing caterpillars are able to ingest. My next blog will be about the stunning gulf fritillary that uses the Passion Vine as its "baby" host.

Spot the walking stick on the flower?