This striking member of the Passionflower
family sports a single whitish flower with pink or purple fringe on a
tendril-bearing vine. Flowers measure 1-1/2 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5cm) wide with 5
sepals, 5 petals, 5 drooping stamens and a 3 styled pistil.
This vine has leaves that are palmately divided into 3 lobes and measure
3 to 5 inches (7.7 to 12.7 cm) across. The edible fruit is green to yellow and measures 2 to 3
inches (5 to 7.7 cm) long. Plants can be found along fencerows, old fields, and other dry,
sunny places. Flowers bloom from June to August.
The
common name reflects imagery of the Crucifixion story: the 10 petal-like parts
represent the disciples (excluding Peter and Judas); the 5 stamens represent
Jesus' wounds, the knoblike stigmas represent the nails and the fringed corona
represents the crown of thorns.
