Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Passiflora tenuiloba (Bird wing passionflower)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Passiflora tenuiloba Engelm.

Bird Wing Passionflower, Birdwing passionflower, Slender-lobe Passionflower, Spread Lobe Passionflower

Passifloraceae (Passion-Flower Family)

USDA Symbol: pate9

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A vine with tendrils in leaf axils and bizarre, greenish flowers.

Unlike this species, which has evolutionarily lost its petals, most Passiflora have 10 petal-like parts; the common name passionflower relates to the resemblance of these flower parts to aspects of the Crucifixion story. The 10 petal-like parts represent the disciples, excluding Peter and Judas; the five stamens, the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas, the nails; and the fringed corona, the crown of thorns. There are several Passiflora species in the Southwest.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: 3-6
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: Southern New Mexico, southwestern Texas, and northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Open limestone areas, dry, caliche soils, growing over boulders and sometimes into low shrubs; mainly in Edwards Plateau to south Texas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: As are other species of Passionvine, Slender lobed passionvine spreads by suckering and is a larval food plant for Gulf fritillary, Zebra longwing, and Julia butterflies. The flowers are not large or brightly colored, but are very intricate and delicate.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Gulf Fritillary
Deer Resistant: Minimal

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Passiflora tenuiloba is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Gulf Fritillary
(Agraulis vanillae)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0437 Collected Jun 24, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0687 Collected Sep 20, 1993 in Bexar County by Mike Fox

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1204 Collected 2012-08-19 in Brewster County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Passiflora tenuiloba in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Passiflora tenuiloba in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Passiflora tenuiloba

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: DIEHL

Go back