Family: Passifloraceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Passiflora vitifolia (crimson passion flower) is native to Central and South Tropical America. It is a vigorous climbing vine known for its large, striking, bright red flowers and attractive foliage. Because of its ornamental appeal, it has been widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical gardens around the world, including Hawaiʻi, where it was in cultivation prior to 1928. It is frequently grown as an ornamental plant to cover trellises, fences, and garden structures due to its showy flowers and fast-growing habit.
Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, Passiflora vitifolia has escaped cultivation and is now sparingly naturalized in mesic, disturbed forest areas at elevations around 100–130 m, including sites near Lyon Arboretum and along the Mānoa Falls Trail on Oʻahu. This species is naturalized, possesses traits that are cause for concern, and could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. Its vigorous growth and ability to spread beyond plantings raise concerns about potential competition with native vegetation and further spread into sensitive habitats. For this reason, it is best to choose a low-risk or native alternative when such options are available to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized outside native range (Hawaii)
- Garden weed (overtakes native vegetation)
- Congeneric weed (other Passiflora are invasive)
- Climbing/smothering growth habit
- Shade tolerant (juvenile stage)
- Produces viable seed
- Requires specialist pollinators (hummingbirds)
- Vegetative reproduction (stolons)
- Dispersed unintentionally (dumped cuttings)
- Dispersed intentionally (ornamental cultivation)
- Bird-dispersed seeds
- Seeds survive gut passage
- Prolific seed production (35–300 per fruit)
- Tolerates pruning/mutilation
Low Risk Traits:
- Not an agricultural or an environmental weed (yet)
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- Non-toxic to animals and humans
- Self-incompatible
- No wind dispersal
- No persistent seed bank
