Description

General aspect and origins - Passiflora lutea, also known as the wild yellow passionflower, or simply yellow passionflower, is a vine which is native to the USA, and which grows in most southeastern states. This is a very herbaceous vine which is very frost hardy, like Passiflora incarnata, the maypop. The yellow passionflower is also cut back to the ground by frosts, and vigourously grows back from the ground the next spring.
Leaves - This species has trilobed leaves that can be up to 4 in (10 cm) wide.
Flowers - Flowers are yellow-green, appear in summer, and are not as showy as other passionflowers.
Fruits - The fruit of the yellow passionflower is small, being about 0.4 in (1 cm) wide. The skin is purple black when ripe.

Culture

This species is not as ornemental as other passionflowers. It is very frost hardy, though, and should be an interesting choice in USDA zones 5-6 where it is not possible to grow other passionflowers (except maybe Passiflora incarnata). Note : this vine is considered invasive in some US states.