Maypop

Description:

This vine, growing in bright sun, had numerous flowers, buds yet to open, and ripening seed pods. The flowers are a disc of purple petals radiating out from the center structure which features speckles and a distinctive stamen projecting upward. The petals are narrow and wavy, together making a fringed disc standing out from the center of the flower. The buds are like green lanterns topped with short spikes,the seed pods are in shape and size like a hen’s egg and are green. They hang from the vine like ornaments hanging from a Christmas tree branch.

Habitat:

This plant was growing on a wire fence enclosing a grassy field, on a farm in Todd County, Kentucky. Nearby were cultivated fields, sheep and horses, Hardwood and evergreen trees. A creek runs nearby. Many bumblebees were seen on the flowers.

Notes:

This plant is edible, and deer like it.