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Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower, Passiflora Incarnata

Source: https://bit.ly/2XM3MC5 Photographer: Audrey CC License: https://bit.ly/37dydo4

Purple Passionflower, Passiflora Incarnata
Source: https://bit.ly/2XM3MC5 Photographer: Audrey CC License: https://bit.ly/37dydo4

Purple Passionflower Facts

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Purple Passionflower Physical Description

It bears noting that the magnificent flora known as the Purple Passionflower evolved as a form of perennial vine. Given that fact, its exact dimensions understandably vary. For one, the marvel of Nature can develop as either a trailing or climbing variety.

In either variety, though, it remains capable of attaining a comparatively significant length. More precisely, some specimens also grow to a length of as much as 30 ft (9.1 m). The majority of individual plants, however, generally remain much shorter than this.

Its leaves typically develop a 3-lobed structure, but 5-lobed varieties do spontaneously occur in Nature. This foliage also usually presents a dark green in color, and possesses a smooth texture. On average, these reach a length equaling roughly 2.4 – 5.9 in (6 – 15 cm).

Yet, its the breathtaking and distinctive blooms of the aptly-named Purple Passionflower that garner the most attention. These develop 5 bluish-white petals, but further possess a bright purple and white corona. This naturally forms the source of the common name.

Though not as impressive as the gorgeous flowers, the fruit of the plant nonetheless merits its own attention. This also typically develops as an oval-shaped berry, roughly the size of a chicken egg. Although its starts out green in color, it slowly yellows as it matures.

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Purple Passionflower Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unlike some of its related species, the Purple Passionflower evolved as native a relatively wide section of the globe. In point of fact, it appears naturally in a specific portion of the continent of North America. It has, however, spread nearly worldwide.

More precisely, this wonder of evolution grows endemically in the southern and southeastern parts of the United States. This covers an area that extends from Pennsylvania in the northeast to Kansas in the mid-west, and as far south as Texas to Florida.

In the wild, this marvelous plant evolved as highly adaptable. As a result, it appears in a wide range of habitat types. These frequently include such areas as open fields, rocky slopes, thickets, thinly wooded regions, and sometimes even roadsides and ditches.

The plant does, however, greatly prefer these areas to be in mostly direct sunlight. Given the nature of its habitat, the beautiful Purple Passionflower accomplishes the majority of its pollination via the efforts of various local species of bumblebees and hummingbirds.

In some respects, unfortunately, the flora sometimes becomes considered an agricultural weed. It spreads prolifically. Historically, though, some people used it in traditional herbal medicines, and thus appreciated its extreme reproductive capabilities.

Species Sharing Its Range

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