What is in a 'pest'? Well, that depends so much on popular point of view! I consider lawns noxious pests when they do not benefit grazing animals! I have won some battles and lost some battles featuring 'pests'. I never classify a creature as a pest solely on the basis of the fact that it is chowing on a beloved plant. My passion flower vine finally grew this year and it attracted some interesting visitors:
I am not at all worried that my long awaited passion vine is going to be denuded of foliage. For one thing, these caterpillars will become beautiful Gulf Fritillary butterflies. Indeed, this was a primary reason I was so excited to find some wild passion flower vines with fruits a couple of years ago on a lot awaiting the scourge of development! The caterpillars do not ever seem to bother the flowers, and I have seen hordes consuming leaves while fruits matured undisturbed. So really, these creatures aren't 'pests', but beautiful guests!
I wasn't expecting a spectacular harvest of flowers or fruits this year from just one vine either. I am just grateful that out of all of the seeds I planted, one finally managed to grow in our poor previously abused dirt!
My Grandmother called the fruits of these vines May pops, and told me that they could be eaten when the fruits were yellow. They never seemed particularly appealing to me as a kid, and I preferred to step on the fruits for that satisfying pop one gets when doing so. Passion flower can be found in many herbal preparations as a calmative, relaxant, and sleep aid. However, not every variety is suitable, so be certain of which is safe! If you don't trust what you find, better to buy from someone that is knowledgeable. Here is more information about this herb:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/passionflower
I really like Green Dean, so here is a link to his wonderful information:
http://www.eattheweeds.com/maypops-food-fun-medicine-2/
This year, is seems that I will be hoarding the seeds from the few fruits on my vine, rather than giving the fruits a taste. But, if I find more..
My Grandmother called the fruits of these vines May pops, and told me that they could be eaten when the fruits were yellow. They never seemed particularly appealing to me as a kid, and I preferred to step on the fruits for that satisfying pop one gets when doing so. Passion flower can be found in many herbal preparations as a calmative, relaxant, and sleep aid. However, not every variety is suitable, so be certain of which is safe! If you don't trust what you find, better to buy from someone that is knowledgeable. Here is more information about this herb:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/passionflower
I really like Green Dean, so here is a link to his wonderful information:
http://www.eattheweeds.com/maypops-food-fun-medicine-2/
This year, is seems that I will be hoarding the seeds from the few fruits on my vine, rather than giving the fruits a taste. But, if I find more..
No comments:
Post a Comment