Family: Passifloraceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Passiflora suberosa (corky passionflower, devil’s pumpkin) is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is a fast-growing climbing vine with slender stems that become corky with age, giving rise to one of its common names. The leaves are variable and often deeply lobed, and it produces small, greenish flowers followed by dark purple to black berries. While occasionally used as an ornamental vine for quick ground or fence coverage, it is more commonly found growing in the wild in warm regions. In Hawaiʻi, it is naturalized on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, and is potentially naturalizing on Kauaʻi. It occurs in grasslands, shrublands, open dry forest, mesic forest, and exposed ridges from sea level up to about 2,000 feet (610 m).

Risks & Threats
Passiflora suberosa is a highly adaptable and fast-spreading vine that reproduces readily through bird-dispersed seeds and vigorous growth. Once established, it can climb over and smother native vegetation, reducing sunlight and suppressing the growth of understory plants. This can lead to simplified habitats and reduced native biodiversity, particularly in dry to mesic ecosystems. It is naturalized in Hawaiʻi and possesses traits that are cause for concern, including broad habitat tolerance and aggressive spreading ability, and could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if left unmanaged.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in tropical/subtropical regions
  
• Naturalized: O'ahu, Molokai, Lana'i, Maui; Potentially naturalizing: Kaua'i, Hawai'i
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Environmental weed and congeneric weed
  
• Creates fire hazard
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions
  
• Climbing/smothering growth habit
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people (ornamental)
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Tolerates mutilation (regenerates from broken stems)

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No allelopathic or parasitic properties
  
• Not toxic to animals or humans
  
• No vegetative fragmentation
  
• Not wind-dispersed or water-dispersed
  
• Low seed production (<1000/m²)