June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION March 2015 Issue | Page 4

March, 2015

How an Odd Plant Teaches us About the
Passion of Christ
By Christie Bourg

Petal tips-lance

Photography is my favorite hobby. I am
drawn to photographing nature, especially the tiny
details of flowers in bloom. So when I first saw a
passion plant at a garden center, I was intrigued by
the blossom’s shape, colors, and fragrance. I had
to stop and drink in the exquisite beauty of this
odd, unfamiliar flower.
Filaments-crown of thorns
What first
struck me was its many
parts, seemingly very
different, yet fusing
together in perfection. I
knew this blossom was
different - and very
special. The passion
plant piqued my
curiosity so much that I
immediately began
searching for
information about it
when I got home.
I soon learned
that the “passion” part
of the name does not
refer to romantic love,
but to the Passion of
Petals-apostles
Christ! I was hooked,
and continued to dig deeper into my research.
What I learned would change my view of this
plant forever.
The
passion plant is a
vine with strong
tendrils that will
hold on to
anything with
which it comes in
contact. Its
Side view of the passion plant
generous amount of
nectar in each

blossom are important food sources for bees,
butterflies, and hummingbirds. But what most
fascinates me is how well its parts can be used to teach
about the Passion of Christ.
This vining plant reminds us that God is the
vine and we are the branches. (John 5:15)
The round corona is
Anthers-5 wounds
made up of 2 stacked
rings of very fine
filaments, representing
Christ’s crown of
thorns. Each
blossomed flower is
surrounded by 10
petals, symbolizing
Christ’s apostles (less
Peter, who denied
knowing Christ, and
Judas, who betrayed
him.)
In the center of
the bloom are 5 “T”
shaped structures called
anthers, which
represent the 5 wounds
on Christ’s body. Also
Stigmas-3 nails
in the center are 3
smaller T-shaped structures called stigmas, which
remind us of the 3 nails used to hang Christ to the
cross.
The pointed tips of the leaves represent the
Holy Lance the pierced Jesus’ side after his death.
The coiling tendrils symbolize whips used in the
flagellation of Christ.
Passion plants are not easy to find in our area,
but one day I plan to buy one of my own to grow. Its
individual peculiar parts will excite the photographer
in me, and the blossoms will touch my Catholic soul.
Most importantly, I’ll use the plant to teach others the
very important story behind it.

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