Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a beautiful and quick-growing vine as well as one of the three state flowers of Tennessee. As the distribution map demonstrates, it is more of a southern plant, so as an edible of the northeast, it is not completely honest, just barely eking out a little qualifying space. Regardless, the fruit of the passionflower is a well-liked fresh fruit or in jams and jellies. It is also believed to have many medicinal properties, especially as a sedative, so caution should be taken when on medication or pregnant/nursing. Purple passionflower is also known to be very important as a host species for many caterpillars including the zebra longwing, the crimson-patched longwing, the Julia, the Plebian sphinx, the variegated fritillary, and six other species (11 total). Also, passionflowers are the only hosts for the Gulf fritillary. The fruit, of course, also makes a nice meal for wildlife, and the flowers are loved by pollinators. So if you want a beautiful flower on a vine that produces a popular fruit, try the purple passionflower.
Map Source:
USDA Plant Profiles
Photo Credit:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49608282