ABSTRACT
The passion flower derives its name from the imagined resemblance of its floral parts to the elements surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. Its three styles represent the three nails, its ovary looks like a hammer, the corona is the crown of thorns, the ten petals represent the ten true apostles (excluding Peter who denied Him and, of course, Judas), and so on. The Moldenkes remind us that the plant was unknown in biblical times, and the fancied symbolism dates from 1610.1
Passiflora incarnata L. is a fast-growing perennial vine (family Passifloraceae) occurring from Virginia to southern Illinois and southeast Kansas, south to Florida and Texas. It is known by the names passionflower, maypop, and apricot vine.2
