Family: Passifloraceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Passiflora foetida (love-in-a-mist) is a fast-growing climbing vine native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is recognized by its deeply lobed leaves, hairy stems, delicate white to pale pink flowers, and distinctive lace-like bracts that surround the fruit. The plant produces small edible fruits and has been cultivated as an ornamental and curiosity plant since before 1871 in Hawai‘i. Love-in-a-mist is now naturalized on Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island, where it commonly occurs in disturbed areas, dry rocky sites, lava flows, and sandy soils from low elevations up to about 500 m.

Risks & Threats
Although valued for its unusual appearance and edible fruit, Passiflora foetida is naturalized in Hawai‘i and possesses traits that are cause for concern. The vine grows rapidly, spreads readily by seed, and can form dense tangles that smother surrounding vegetation and interfere with the regeneration of native plants. Its ability to thrive in harsh, dry, and disturbed environments allows it to spread into vulnerable tropical island ecosystems, where it may compete with native species for light, space, and resources. Because of its invasive potential, continued planting and intentional spread should be avoided near natural areas. When possible, choose a low-risk or native alternative for landscaping and ornamental use.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (environmentally versatile)
  
• Naturalized outside native range (e.g., Hawaii, Queensland)
  
• Naturalized across the main Hawaiian Islands: Ni'ihau (incl. Lehua), Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Maui, and Hawai'i.
  
• Agricultural weed (maize, rubber, coconut, sugarcane, taro, oil palm)
  
• Environmental weed
  
• Congeneric weed (other Passiflora species are weedy)
  
• Toxic to animals
  
• Host for pests/pathogens (e.g., Passionfruit woodiness virus)
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil types
  
• Climbing/smothering growth habit
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Hybridizes naturally
  
• Self-compatible (self-pollinating)
  
• No specialist pollinator required
  
• Propagules dispersed intentionally by people (sold as ornamental)
  
• Propagules dispersed as produce contaminant
  
• Propagules water-dispersed
  
• Propagules bird-dispersed
  
• Propagules survive passage through gut
  
• Tolerates mutilation/pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No fire hazard
  
• No vegetative fragmentation (reproduces only by seed)
  
• Not wind-dispersed
  
• No external animal dispersal (no hooks/barbs)