Blue passion flower
Botanical Name
Passiflora caerulea
Family
Passifloraceae (passionfruit)
Also known as
Bluecrown passionflower
Where is it originally from?
Brazil to Argentina
What does it look like?
Vigorous evergreen, high-climbing vine (<6+ m) with long stems that are hairless and angular when young and which have spiralling tendrils. Leaves are very thin and 5-lobed almost to the base, with each lobe 3-8 cm long and narrow. Hanging whitish purple flowers (6-9 cm diameter, Dec-Apr) with purple filaments are followed by hanging round fruit (3-5 cm diameter) that ripens from green to yellow, has small amounts of inedible pulp, and contains silver-brown seeds (4 mm long).
Are there any similar species?
Passiflora mollissima, P. mixta, and P. edulis.
Why is it weedy?
Spreads into natural areas and smothering native plants. Its seed is spread by birds and possums, and it also grows from layering, where stems touch the ground, forming roots and new plants. Disperses effectively, grows quickly to medium to high canopy forming large masses, and stems layer. Tolerates damage, drought, hot to cold temperatures and moderate shade.
How does it spread?
Birds and possums carry seeds moderate distances. Often used as rootstock for P. edulis. Hedges, nurseries, exotic plantations, waste land, gardens and roadsides are common seed sources.
What damage does it do?
Smothers canopy, can strangle host stems, and prevents the establishment of native plant seedlings. Appears in light wells away from parent plant.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Disturbed and open forest, light wells and margins of intact bush, streamsides, coastline and cliffs.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Pull roots up (all year round). Cut off above ground or tie stems in air to prevent them coming in contact with the ground and taking root.
2. Cut down and paint stump (all year round): glyphosate (200ml/L) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L) or triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L) or triclopyr 120g/L (500ml/L) or 520g/L haloxyfop-P-methyl (200ml/L) or dicamba 50g/L (400ml/L).
3. Spray large masses on ground where roots cannot be pulled (spring-autumn): 520g/L haloxyfop-P-methyl (120ml/10L) or dicamba 50g/L (24ml/L) or triclopyr 600 EC (30ml/10L) or triclopyr 120g/L (15ml/L).
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Stems layer, stumps resprout so followup and control as needed to eradicate. A few seedlings may appear in bared areas. Use herbicide only when roots cannot be pulled.
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