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Passiflora incarnata

Passiflora incarnata, “Maypop” or “Purple passionflower” in English and “Passiflore officinale” in French, belongs to the Passifloraceae botanical family.

This herb is a vine that can climb up to 3 m and can be invasive. Its fruit must not be confused with “passion fruit” or “maracuja” which is the fruit of Passiflora edulis.

Native of the South Eastern US and Mexico, it was first depicted on a ceramic jug from Peru (2nd to 9th century), and is now cultivated in many tropical and sub-tropical areas.

The aerial parts of the plant are used as a sedative in neurasthenia, neurovegetative dystonia, insomnia, anxiety and nervous disorders, especially in children.

Its main constituents are flavonoids, mostly C-glucosyl derivatives such as vitexin, saponarin, orientin, homo-orientin, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, vicenin etc.

  • English name Passion flower
  • French name Passiflore
Passiflora incarnata