Passiflora is an aggressive and fast growing native Florida vine that blooms spectacularly all year round in South Florida. The vine grows by way of tendrils that quickly wrap themselves around stems, branches, lattice work, fences and other small section stationary objects. At the base of the vine grows a woody stem that can also twirl and wrap itself around a support structure, so if you are planting this species it’s a good idea to plan in advance for its growth.
The flowers are showy and amazingly fragrant. The most notable portion of the flower is the ring of fringe-like corona that radiates around five stamen and three styles; the male and female parts of the flower. Some species do produce capsular fruit or berries--our species here the office produces a small fruit that none of us has attempted to eat!
Though the flower grows aggressively the caterpillars are equally aggressive and if not left in check can quickly defoliate the plant. This happened to all three of our plants here in the office but with fertilizer we coaxed them back to health and they were able to outgrow the pace of consumption by the caterpillars. Just with three specimens we see 5-10 butterflies throughout the day.
Building Center No.3: Architecture firm in Miami; interior designer in Miami; landscape design in Miami.
Passiflora incarnata - Passion flower. There are five sepals, five petals, and many wispy thread-like projections radiating from the tube, which constitute the corona, the most beautiful part of the flower.
Passiflora incarnata - Passion flower. The vine growing at our office at Building Center No.3.
Gulf fritillary - Agraulis vanillae visiting our office at Building Center No.3
