Passion flower scientifically also known as Passiflora incarnate, is a member of family Passifloraceae. There are many Passion flower facts known to man today. The plant is known to have its origin in the southeastern parts of the Western Hemisphere. However, now it is grown throughout Europe. It is perennial vine and has leafy, herbaceous shoots. The stem is woody and strong and grows to a length of almost 10 meters. The flower is beautiful having five petals as well as five sepals. The petals are white in color while the sepals color ranges from magenta to blue.
Passion flower facts also tell us from where the flower got its name from. According to the folklore, the corona of the flower bears an uncanny resemblance to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at the time of his fructification. The flower has a unique structure, from the various Passion flower facts we know, it is learnt that because of the humongous nature of the flower it requires large bees and humming birds for pollination. The Sword-billed Hummingbird has special adaptive features to help feed on passion flowers. Passion flower is a vital part of the life cycles of many small creatures, apart from the humming bird. The pollen of Yellow Passion Flower is used for consumption and not pollination by the bee Anthemurgus passiflorae . Apart from the flower , the leaves of the vine are consumed as food by the swift moth larvae. Many species of butterflies too rely on the Passion flower for survival. Its not just insects which depend on the plant, the plant too needs the insects. Butterflies lay eggs on these plants, to prevent them from laying too many eggs on the same plant, passion flower has a mechanism by which it tricks the butterflies into thinking that many eggs have already been deposited on the plant than actually is the case. The plant bears small colored structures which resemble butterfly eggs. Passion flower facts also include some interesting things about the plant. The plant is in constant danger from pest’s ant predators alike, to keep these at bay, the Passion flower plant produces a sweet, sticky , substance which attracts the ants. These ants kill the pests, and prevent the predators. Some more interesting Passion flower facts relate to it protocarnivorous nature, a certain species of Passion flower , Passiflora foetida , also known as Stinking Passion Flower , possesses bracts which are covered by insect catching hairs. The hairs ooze a sticky fluid to which many insects get stuck. These are then digested by action of nutrient rich enzymes. One of the most intriguing
Passion flower facts is that within the species , we can find so many variations. On one hand Passion flower is known to be very useful to mankind, on the other hand , it also proves to be a menace in the form of Banana Passion Flower ,native of Brazil, it is a weed found in Hawaii. It overgrows and causes havoc in endemic vegetation. Blue Passion Flower is another kind of weed causing trouble in Spain. While some species are proving to be bothersome because of their uncontrolled growth there are some which are endangered. Passion flower facts include details about the endangered species. Chilean Passion Flower is one of them, due to excessive habit destruction this plant is endangered.
Other Passion flower facts we know tell us about the various uses of the flower to humans. The flower has been used as a calming herb, since a long time in South America and Europe. It is used for calming people suffering from anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is believed that the flower has a relaxing effect on the brain as it stimulates the secretion of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical lowers the activity of brain cell , thereby relaxing the mind. Passion flower facts also encompass the parts of the plant used. Mainly it is the flower which is used in the form of Infusions, Teas , Liquid extracts and Tinctures. Other above ground parts are also used along with, sedative medications, as it adds to their effect. The plant parts are also used along with Antiplatelets and anticoagulants. These were some of the known Passion flower facts.