Passiflora lutea

Passiflora lutea..

Passiflora lutea leaf

Passiflora lutea, commonly known as yellow passionflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Passifloraceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it is found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, thickets, and stream banks.

Description

Passiflora lutea is a perennial plant with slender, climbing or trailing stems that can reach up to 3 meters in length. The leaves are palmate, typically with three lobes, and are 3-7 cm long. The flowers are small, about 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, and are pale yellow to greenish-yellow in color. The fruit is a small, dark purple berry, about 1-1.5 cm in diameter, which contains numerous seeds.

Habitat and Distribution

Passiflora lutea is found in the southeastern United States, from Pennsylvania and New Jersey south to Florida, and west to Texas and Oklahoma. It grows in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, woodlands, thickets, and along stream banks. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can often be found in partially shaded areas.

Ecology

The flowers of Passiflora lutea are pollinated by various species of bees and other insects. The plant serves as a host for the larvae of several species of butterflies, including the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) and the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia). The fruit is eaten by various species of birds and mammals, which help to disperse the seeds.

Cultivation

Passiflora lutea is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, particularly in areas where it is native. It can be propagated from seed or by cuttings. The plant prefers a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be used to cover fences, trellises, or other structures, and can also be grown in containers.

Related Species

Passiflora lutea is one of many species in the genus Passiflora, which includes the well-known Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) and the Maypop (Passiflora incarnata). Other related species include Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora quadrangularis.

See Also

• Passifloraceae
• Passiflora
• Passiflora edulis
• Passiflora incarnata
• Passiflora caerulea
• Passiflora quadrangularis