As a comment about
Maypop (Passiflora incarnata),
jmorth wrote:
Passionflower is a climber/sprawler utilizing tendrils. Single flowers arise from stalks from axils of leaves up to 3" across w/ several petals and a purple fringe, 5 dropping stamens around the pistil which displays 3 - 4 curved stigmas.
Fruit (edible) oval, smooth, couple inches long is yellow when ripe. Fruit has lot of seeds w/ gelatinous coverings.
Wildflower in south half of Illinois that prefers habitat at edge of woods, ditch banks, fencerows, roadsides, and along railroads.
Maypops designation resultant of practice of children stomping on the fruit to make it 'pop'; also, because the following season, it 'may pop' up anywhere (often emerges from kill-back to roots in different place) and is rather slow to make an appearance (a case of 'patience is the essence of growth').
American Indians used root to treat boils, cuts, inflammation, and earaches. Tea made from plant used to soothe nerves.
I've had good success w/ seeds.