Banana passionfruit (Passiflora) species are fast-growing climbing vines that form large masses capable of smothering other plants and dominating the canopy. Banana passionfruit invades disturbed and open forests, forest margins, streambanks, coastlines, cliffs, and sand dunes. It prevents native plants from establishing and poses adverse effects to environmental and biodiversity values of the region.

The fruit is delicious, and birds and pests eat it, meaning banana passionfruit is easily spread.

• Size: Banana passionfruit climbing vines can grow up to 10 metres tall.
• Leaves: Leaves are three-lobed, with the middle lobe being the longest, and edges are serrated. Stems are long and hairy with many spiralling tendrils (slender, coiling stems).
• Flowers: Large pink hanging flowers develop into oval fruit ripening from green to yellow/ orange with sweet edible orange pulp and dark red seeds.
• Root system: Stems can take root where they touch the ground.
• Habitat: Include the outskirts of forests and shrublands as well as stream sides, coastline cliffs, sand dunes and our gardens.

You can see banana passionfruit throughout the year as it has an extended flowering and fruiting timeframe through spring and summer (September–February).

To prevent or improve on damage to indigenous ecosystems, banana passionfruit is in the site-led programme of the Otago Regional Pest Management Plan (2019-2029). The Dunedin site-led areas include West Harbour — Mt Cargill, Quarantine and Goat islands — and Otago Peninsula. There are no specific rules associated with site-led pest plants in the plan.

Banana passionfruit is declared an Unwanted Organism in the National Pest Plant Accord. This means it cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. It cannot be propagated, bred, multiplied, communicated, released, caused to be released, or otherwise spread.

ORC will take a lead role in supporting the goals of community groups and agencies in site-led areas in relation to banana passionfruit. This may be through advice, education, funding, service delivery or requiring landowners to undertake control when needed.

Physical control:

• Dig out the root system or cut the stem above the ground and hang it above the ground, leaving it to rot. 

Chemical control:

• Cut the stump near the ground and paste it with a suitable herbicide gel containing metsulfuron, triclopyr or glyphosate and leave the plant to rot.
• You can also spray the plant when it is actively growing using a suitable herbicide containing either triclopyr or glyphosate and penetrant.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Disclaimer: Mention of product trade names does not endorse these products nor imply criticism of similar products not mentioned. The Otago Regional Council does not give any warranty that the information is accurate or complete or that it is suitable for all circumstances.

www.orc.govt.nz/bananapassionfruit