maypop/passionflower (seed)

Maypop is a perennial vine native to the southeastern US. A host plant to the Gulf fritillary butterfly, maypop is also an awesome wild food and plant medicine.

The fruits are mostly composed of pulp-covered seed, and have a delightful flavor. Fruits allowed to fully ripen will have a complex flavor that resembles pineapple. As the seeds are easy to crunch, I generally eat the whole inside, seeds and all. I have also juiced them before, creating an incredibly acidic tropical flavored juice.

The young, tender leaves and vines are edible, as are the flowers and flower buds. As they are also known to promote relaxation, eating in quantity may create a sense of calm or even drowsiness.

Maypop also boasts an interesting phyto-chemistry and has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote calm.

Seed requires scarification as well as a 90 day period of cold stratification to germinate. Germination can be sporadic, so be patient.

Plant details:
Genus & species: Passiflora incarnata
Hardiness: Zone 5 to zone 9
Sun: Full sun preferred
Soil type: Tolerant of a variety of soil types, well-drained
Soil moisture: Average to moist