Both the common and scientific genus names refer to the lizard-like shape of the drooping flower head. This is a wetland plant. It can form dense pat , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Eaten by wood ducks and other foraging birds. , Habitat, Shallow water of streams, swamps, wet forests, ditches. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Nectar plant for hairstreaks and other insects esp. bees and flies, but apparently mostly wind p

The entire state excepting the keys falls within the range of this plant which extends from North Carolina to Texas.   Herbarium specimens document oc , Tolerance, Unknown Unknown , Habitat, Wet flatwoods, savannas, acidic swamps , Did You Know?, Showy flowers

The name 'passion' is a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Parts of the flower are said to resemble instruments used during the crucif , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, This plant spreads via stoloniferous rhizomes just beneath the ground surface. In areas with loose sand or mulch it can spread like wildflower sprouti , Wildlife, The young tendrils of purple passionvine are eaten by wild turkey.  Wildlife eat the fruits. , Habitat, Disturbed, brushy areas or disturbed upland hardwood forest, sandhill and scrub. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage Purple passionflower is larval host plant for numerous butterfly species, including Gulf Fritillary