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Native Plant Society of Texas

Corkystem Passionflower

Passiflora suberosa

Other common name(s):

Wild Passionfruit, Corkstem Passionflower

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.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Will go dormant in extreme heat. Can climb or be used in the garden as a groundcover. Give lots of room – clings to other vegetation with tendrils and can smother it if not pruned. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms January-December. A creeping or twining vine. Stems are woody and winged with maturity, changing from green to tan, with corky bark at the bases of older stems. Leaves are highly variable, and can be lobed, lanceolate, broad, narrow, or entire. Small, greenish-yellow or white, dime-sized flowers have five sepals but no petals. The fruit is a dark purple berry. Larval host: Heliconia, Gulf Fritillary, Mexican Silverspot.

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22232&print_version=SCR&source=from_print#null, 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=16688&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PASU3, 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Passiflora+suberosa&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 5) Richardson, Alfred. Plants of Deep South Texas: A Field Guide to the Woody and Flowering Species (Perspectives on South Texas, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville), p. 347. Texas A&M University Press, 6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_suberosa#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20creeping%20or,both%20sides%20glabrous%2C%20shiny%20green., 7) https://garden.org/plants/view/87180/Corkstem-Passionflower-Passiflora-suberosa/

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak the seeds in tepid water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat. Sow seed onto surface of soil. Do not cover. Place containter in light shade. Smash mature fruit on paper towel or place in blender with water and grind just enough to break up the berries; strain and place on paper towel. When dry, scrape off seeds. 1) https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Passsube 2) https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/passion-flower/growing-guide
Stem Cutting Dipping the cutting in rooting hormone is highly recommended but not required. Nestle it into well-draining soil. Keep it consistently warm and moist but not waterlogged until it roots. Take stem cuttings in the spring or early summer. Select a 4-6 inch segment from a pest-free, disease-free stem and cut at an angle just below a node. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-corkystem-passionflower/ 2) https://earthone.io/plant/passiflora%20suberosa
Stem Layering Scrape the exposed wood to remove the cambium layer, as this encourages rooting. Dust the area with rooting hormone, then wrap it with moist sphagnum moss. Secure this mossy bundle with plastic wrap and tie it up with wire or twist ties. Make sure to poke a few holes for breathability—roots love oxygen. Caring for Your Air Layer Now, the waiting game begins. Roots should form within 3 months, but keep an eye on the moss to ensure it stays moist. Once you've got a healthy root system visible, it's time to cut the stem below the new roots and pot your new plant. Keep it in bright, indirect light and water it well. Remember, good ventilation is crucial—think gentle breeze, not gale-force winds. For air layering, first, select a healthy stem—pencil-thick is perfect. Make two circular cuts about an inch apart around the stem and remove the bark between them. https://greg.app/propagate-corkystem-passionflower/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason