maypop

9.9

A climbing plant with large flowers and egg-shaped fruit

noun
/ˈmeɪˌpɑp/

Specialized

: maypop

In the summer, I love to see the vibrant flowers of the maypop growing in my garden.

Examples

The maypop plant blooms beautifully in the summer.
Children sometimes use maypop fruit for games, enjoying the loud pop when stepped on.
Farmers in the South have long grown maypop for its ornamental flowers.
The maypop produces fruit in late summer that is prized by local wildlife.
I found a ripe maypop in my backyard.
The maypop fruit is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
During our hike, we spotted several maypop plants along the trail, showcasing their large, unique blooms.

Synonyms

passionflower

vsmaypop

1 7.2

A climbing plant with colorful flowers and edible fruit

is the specific southeastern species with large egg-shaped fruit rather than a general genus

Passiflora incarnata

vsmaypop

Specialized

9.9

A climbing plant from the southern United States with large purple flowers and bland round fruit

highlights large egg-shaped fruit rather than remarking on berry taste

Surface Forms

maypop singular

maypops plural

Morphology

maypop = May + pop (semi-transparent) = may + pop

The form is segmentable as 'May' + 'pop', but the common name is a lexicalized plant name whose specific referent ('passionflower' and its fruit) is not predictable from the components alone.

Etymology

Maypop likely comes from the simple parts may ('the month of May') and pop ('a sudden sound'). One popular story says the plant often fruits around May and its round, soft fruit makes a 'pop' when children step on or squeeze it, so the name fits the noisy, egg-shaped fruit we call maypop today.