Meet the plants: passiflora incarnata

If we're gonna heal, let it be glorious- Warsan Shire

Well well well … the time has come (May) to introduce one of our Beloveds- P. incarnata, Maypop, Holy-Trinity flower, molly-pop, passion vine, pop-apple, granadilla, maycock, maracoc, maracock, white sarsaparilla… vavavoom flower. This little magician is heralded as a holy rep for the trinity. The scientific name is a reflection of the Christian story of the apostles (10 petals), 5 stamens (wounds), 3 styles (cruxifiction), with some white and purple magic to flex the colors of heaven/ ascendence. Chosen by one of the Solitary Gardeners for their virtuous representation, this plant has taken over prison bars season after season.

Whatever you believe, this flower is actually made of magic- their seductive other wordly beauty is unmatched. This plant offers us sedative/ tranquilizing/ anti-spasmadic medicine and has been proven to work as good as oxazepam for sleep in clinical trials. You have met the fruits of this seductress as passionfruit, which represent joy, sweetness, pleasure and are said to be a natural aphrodisiac (duh).

This powerful climbing vine is a study in contrasts. The wild energy of the plant is made visible in their one-of-a-kind flowers, but their medicine is grounding, sedative, and calming. As P. incarnata reminds us of the superpowers of wonder and exploration —in also encourages us to take inner peace, contemplation and calmness on our journey. Obviously a fave here tattooed all over jackie’s arm.

Passionfruit from the Maypop pushing through a Solitary Garden

This little magician reminds us that wonder and exploration are best fueled with inner calm. As this powerful vining plant uses her curls to climb, she grows with medicine that keeps us sedated.

How can we build an abolitionist movement that is exuberant and fueled by joy and curiosity? Would it best be grounded by rest, tranquility, and serenity?

How to practices of abolition and liberation employ the strategies of P. incarnata? 

How does liberation require rest? Is this really a study of opposites or an under-explored synergy? (shout out to The Nap Ministry for soulutions)

Maypop in the garden, forever remembered on the shoulder