ORIGIN

South America, Andes

COMMON NAME

Banana passionfruit

BOTANICAL NAME

Passiflora mollissima & P. mixta

IDENTIFICATION

Vigorous vine, often high climbing, shoots densely hairy, produces pink flowers Jan-Dec. Can be confused with blue passion flower. Other passionfruit/flower species have also been noted growing in forests. Banana passionfruit (P. mollissima) is the most common of the naturalised species of the genus in NZ except in northern areas where it is largely replaced by northern banana passionfruit (P.mixta). The stipules (appendage where the leaves join the stem) of the northern banana passionfruit are 2-4 mm wide whereas in banana passionfruit they are 5-10 mm wide.

HABITATS

Coastal areas, lowland and coastal shrublands and forest margins, light gaps, roadsides, wastelands, farm and orchard hedges and domestic gardens. Prefers forest and shrubland margins and fertile soil.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Known to enter and fill forest light gaps and causes damage by smothering plants. It is a climbing plant able to reach the tree canopy and cover a large area. Banana passionfruit has become a serious environmental weed in the Nelson area. A closely related plant is a large problem in Hawaiian forests.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Main sources of infestation are farm and orchard hedges, and rural wastelands. Garden escape. Spread primarily by blackbirds, fruit also eaten by possums.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Hand pull whenever possible or dig plant out at the roots.

Disposal
Mulch or compost.

Chemical Control
Climbing character of the plant means support plant will also be damaged by herbicide sprays used. Spray with Glyphosate at 100 ml in 10 litres of water plus 20 ml of Penetrant if support plant damage is not an issue. In large stands and to avoid damage to supporting plants cut at ground level and treat stems with Glyphosate.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Hand pull small infestations. Cut and stump treat larger areas.

FURTHER COMMENT

For further information please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet PP17-Climbing plants

This plant is prohibited from propagation, sale and distribution within New Zealand!