Maypop, Apricot vine
Passiflora incarnata
Family: Passifloraceae
What it is like
A vigorous climber. The vines can be 4.5 m long. The leaves have 3 lobes and are 15 cm long and wide. They are blue-green underneath and have teeth along the edges. The flowers are 5 cm wide and white. The fruit are oval and yellow. They are 5 cm long. They have a flavour something like apricot.
There are about 400 Passiflora species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in subtropical America. It grows to 39°N in the USA. It is hardy to -10°C. The vine dies back and re-grows with temperatures below freezing. It needs a well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Cuba, East Africa, Europe, India, Indochina, Italy, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Myanmar, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Tasmania, USA (country/location of origin), Vietnam, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are also made into jelly, jams, wines, sherberts and drinks. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The flowers are eaten as a salad or made into syrup.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, flowers
How it is grown
It is grown from cuttings.
The vine is fast growing and vigorous.
Its other names
Local names
Garana, Garanadelina, Garana gasy, Kilelaka, Macmat, Maracock, Maracuya