Definition

Noun: * A tropical American passionflower vine (Passiflora foetida), characterized by finely divided, feathery bracts surrounding its flowers and stems that emit an unpleasant odor when crushed. It is also known for its small, edible fruit.

Usage Notes

• "Wild water lemon" is a common name for a specific plant species. It is primarily used in botanical contexts, gardening, and in regions where the plant is native or naturalized.
• The name is a compound noun that functions as a single unit to identify the plant. The "wild" distinguishes it from cultivated varieties, "water" may refer to its habitat or the juiciness of its fruit, and "lemon" describes the fruit's shape and sometimes its tart flavor, though it is not a true citrus.

Examples

• The wild water lemon has spread along the fence line.
• You can identify the wild water lemon by its intricate, lacy bracts and distinctive smell.
• The fruit of the wild water lemon is often used to make refreshing drinks.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in ecological studies to describe a species that can be both a valuable food source for wildlife and an invasive weed in certain non-native habitats.

Variants and Related Words

• Scientific Name:
• Other Common Names: stinking passionflower, love-in-a-mist, running pop, foetid passionflower.
• Wild cucumber (): A different plant with a superficially similar common name structure, but from the gourd family.
• Passionflower / Passion vine: The general common name for plants in the genus.

Synonyms

• Stinking passionflower
• Love-in-a-mist (in a gardening context)

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Wild water lemon" refers specifically to the plant . It does not refer to a type of citrus fruit. The name is sometimes confusing because it contains the word "lemon."

Noun

1. tropical American passion flower with finely dissected bracts; stems malodorous when crushed