Passion flower. Open head of a passion flower bloom, Passiflora incarnata. The passion flower is used as a medicinal plant, as well as being cultivated for its impressive flowers. As a medicinal plant it has many effects including a sedative action, a hypnotic (sleep inducer), and an anti-spasmodic (relaxes involuntary muscles). When used as a compress, it can ease minor skin irritations. See images B640/142-146 in sequence showing this flower opening.