passionflower

noun

Etymology: Calque of Italian fior della Passione or Latin flōs Passiōnis; after the appearance and number of its various parts, thought to be symbolic of Christ's passion.

1. Any of very many vines, in North America and elsewhere, of the genus Passiflora that bear edible fruit called passion fruit, and showy flowers of a structure symbolic of the Passion of Christ.

   “The Priests observed frequent fasts, and abstained at all times from certain animals and fruits, especially from the Granadilla, the fruit of the Passion-flower, because, say the lying Jesuits, of the mysteries which are signified in that marvellous blossom: the people also were frequently required to fast.”

2. The flower of this plant.