Family: Passifloraceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Passiflora rubra (red passionfruit) is a vigorous climbing vine native to the Caribbean region, where it grows in tropical forests and disturbed habitats. It produces attractive, deeply lobed leaves and showy flowers typical of passionfruit species, followed by round to oval fruits that turn yellow to reddish when ripe. The fruits are edible, with a sweet-tart pulp, and the plant is sometimes cultivated on a small scale for ornamental use, home gardens, and occasional fruit production in suitable tropical climates. Like other passionfruit relatives, it is valued for its fast growth and ability to quickly cover trellises, fences, and other supports.

Risks & Threats
Although Passiflora rubra is currently not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, including vigorous vine growth, rapid spreading potential, and tolerance for a range of tropical conditions. In similar island ecosystems, these characteristics can allow climbing vines to smother native vegetation, compete for light, and alter habitat structure. If introduced and established, it could detrimentally impact sensitive tropical island ecosystems by displacing native plants and reducing biodiversity. For this reason, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is strongly recommended when suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range
  
• Agricultural weed (Trinidad)
  
• Environmental weed (Cook Islands)
  
• Congeneric weeds exist (e.g., P. suberosa, P. incarnata)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Attractive to generalist pollinators (bees, birds)
  
• Propagules dispersed intentionally by people (ornamental)
  
• Propagules bird-dispersed and survive gut passage

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not toxic to animals or humans
  
• No vegetative fragmentation
  
• Low seed production (large berries, low fruit density)
  
• No long-term persistent seed bank (seed viability <1 year)