Stacey Weaver, age 14, of Twin Falls, Ids., for her question:

HOW WAS THE PASSIONFLOWER NAMED?

There are more than 400 different kinds of flower bearing plants called passionflowers. They are native to the Southern and Western parts of the United States, to tropical areas of South America and to Australia.

The passionflower name was given by early explorers who saw in the flowers a symbol of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. "Passion" refers to the suffering of Christ.

At the center of the passionflower are three pistils, which represent the nails used on the cross. The five stamens represent Christ's five wounds while the 10 sepals and petals represent the faithful disciples. The flower's fringed corona represents the crown of thorns.

The passionflower is a climbing or trailing vine. In some of its native regions it is known by the common name of maypop.

The most common type of passionflower is purplish white although there are varieties of red and yellow.