If I were a botanist I might be able to tell you why a passionfruit flower has all of the intricate parts that it does. I am not a botanist, so am left to marvel in the beauty and wonder of the flower, pondering why it is so and what makes it such a delightful sight hanging over a fence. I love the spiky purple bits – the corona filaments – floating in sharp contrast to the white petals, and the almost alien-like (or perhaps penis-like) triple stigma perched atop the swollen ovary. How on earth did this thing evolve? It is one very elaborate bee playground.

passionfruit flower set against green leaves and grey fence