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Native Plant Society of Texas

Bracted Passionflower

Passiflora affinis

Other common name(s):

Family:

Passifloraceae (Passion Flower Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Limestone, Moist, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Riparian, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies

Maintenance

Does well in both dry or moist soil, but it is best to allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. Caterpillars may totally defoliate the vine, but if protected until it is well-established, the vine will resprout quickly. This vine likes to spread so give lots of room, or trim and pull sprouts to contain in a smaller area. Native habitat: riparian, dry limestone areas, open woodlands, grasslands, and roadsides.

Description

Blooms May-October. A vine that climbs using tendrils. Thin delicate stems are covered with sticky yellow hairs. Distinct 3-lobed leaves are thought to be shaped like cowboy hats. Small, pale yellow, intricate flowers. The fruit is a berry. Larval host: Zebra Longwing and Gulf Fritillary butterflies.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours to soften the seed coat. Sow the seeds in a well-draining potting mix, lightly covering them with soil. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a warm location with indirect light. Germination can take up to several weeks. Once the seedlings develop a few true leaves, they can be transplanted into separate pots. Collect seeds from ripe fruits, clean the seeds and remove any remaining pulp from them. https://plantiary.com/plant/passiflora-affinis_21195.html
Softwood Cutting Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Embed in a light, well-draining, moist potting mix, ensuring at least two nodes are buried in the soil. Provide steady support for the cutting. Maintain dampness and a warm atmosphere to stimulate root formation. A humidity dome or plastic bag helps create a moist environment. Use a spray bottle to mist the cuttings to maintain optimal humidity levels. Keeping cuttings moist but not saturated. Root development typically occurs within 4-6 weeks. In spring or summer, harvest a cutting directly beneath a leaf node from recent growth, about 4-6 inches long with at least 3-4 leaf nodes. 1) https://www.forwardplant.com/care/propagate/passiflora-affinis/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Passiflora_affinis.html
Stem Layering Bury the wounded section of the stem in a shallow trench or pot filled with soil, leaving the tip above the ground. Secure the stem in place using a small stake or wire. Keep the soil moist and provide indirect light. After a few weeks, new roots should form at the wounded section. Once roots are established, the new plant can be separated from the parent plant and potted. Identify a low-growing, flexible stem near the base of the plant. Gently bend the selected stem down to the ground and make a small incision or scrape the underside where it will touch the soil. https://plantiary.com/plant/passiflora-affinis_21195.html
Stem Grafting Make a corresponding diagonal cut on the rootstock plant stem. Join the two cut surfaces together and bind them tightly using grafting tape or a rubber band. Keep the graft union covered with a plastic bag or humidity dome to maintain moisture. Place the grafted plant in a warm, well-lit area. After a few weeks, the graft union should heal and new growth will begin to emerge. This is an advanced method. Select a healthy rootstock plant, preferably a Passiflora species with strong root system and disease resistance. Take a stem cutting from a desired Passiflora Affinis plant and make a 45-degree diagonal cut at the base to maximize surface contact area. https://plantiary.com/plant/passiflora-affinis_21195.html

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason