Passion Flower is a very special Florida Native Vine – it is a larval (caterpillar) host plant for two beautiful butterflies. What this means is that if you grow Passiflora incarnata, you will probably have a visit from Zebra Longwing and Gulf Fritillary Butterflies. 

Passion Flowers

Passion vines are herbaceous (non-woody) and grow along the ground and up any supporting structure. They live in fields with full sun and thrive in woodlands with a bit of shade. Their leaves are three-lobed and opposite, with accompanying climbing tendrils.  Flowers are stunning with colors from light lavender to darker purple. There is even a white variety! Passion flowers have wavy filaments (called a corona) that characterize this species. A yellowish divided lobe protrudes with the pollen sacs. Flowers are fragrant. An ovoid green fruit is often produced, called Maypop, which is not tasty (species P. edulis produces the very tasty Passion Fruit).

Zebra Longwing Butterflies

Zebra Longwings are very unique butterflies with elongated wings, bold yellow stripe patterns, and red dots near the body. Their fluttery flight is unmistakable. They are our Florida State Butterfly!

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Gulf Fritillary Butterflies

Gulf Fritillary butterflies are bright orange with black markings on wing tops, and white splotches on brownish wing bottoms. Both butterflies hold their wings open when resting and folded when feeding. You’ll see them everywhere in the Summer.

Caterpillar of Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. Image:  UF/IFAS Extensdion Lake County MGV.

Brush-Footed Butterfly Group

Zebra Longwings and Gulf Fritillary butterflies are members of a group called Brush-Footed or Four-Footed Butterflies. Besides having three pairs of legs, they have brush-like hairs on their forelegs, which hold them close to their body.  Plus, they normally stand only on their middle and hind leg pairs, hence, Four-Footed!!  And, fellow members of this group are Monarch, Queen, and Viceroy Butterflies!!! This is indeed a most popular and observed group of butterflies.

Passion Vines are flowering in the Butterfly Garden, located in the Discovery Gardens of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Lake County Extension Agricultural Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, Florida 32778. The gardens are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Call (t: 352-353-4101) or email (e: juwanda.rowell@ufl.edu) for more information, or visit our Lawn and Garden website.

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