There is a whole world on one weed in my garden.
I did not kill this weed because of a hybrid I fell in love with in Tuscany.
So when I saw it growing on the bank, I staked it up to compare it with the hybrid.
What a wonderful weed it has been.
This wild Passion vine/Maypop/Passiflora incarnata has been a whole laboratory.
There are ants on the pods and stems.
The best part is all the caterpillars of various sizes.
Tiny, shiny, spiky, orange and black caterpillars of Fritillary butterflies.
I check on this plant every day and find something new.
An added bonus is a beautiful, blue morning glory that grew up into the Passion vine.
My daddy’s favorite color of blue, bluebird blue.
I have been blessed by this weed. I am so thankful I did not kill it.
Where would all those lovely caterpillars be? Nowhere, that’s where.
Follow the weed.
floweralley 
My father in law passed several years ago – one of my favorite chats with him was about his memories of stomping Maypops after getting off the school bus (in the early 1930s) I always leave the ones in my yard and stomp a few in his honor. Mine should be blooming soon!
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Send a photo if you can. I want to compare it. I bought a red Passion vine several weeks ago. I have taken some cuttings.
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i have a picture, what is your email?
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It seems to be a very popular boy 😉
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A whole world indeed! Ecology is one of my favorite subjects. 🙂
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