T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Banana Passionfruit

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
(unranked): Eurosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Passiflora
Species: Passiflora tripartita (formerly Passiflora mollissima or Passiflora mixta)
Common name: Banana Passionfruit

A large, vigorous woody climber, banana passionfruit scrambles into tree canopies and stifles its host. A single plant can grow to cover the area of a house. The plant has three-fingered leaves, tendrils, long pink hanging flowers the year round and pendulous, and banana shaped fruit in winter. The fruit turns yellow when ripe. Banana passionfruit grows at forest edges in the North Island and in warmer parts of the South Island. Its seeds are spread by possums, wild pigs and birds. It is partly held in check by garden snails, which ring-bark the lower stems. Originally from Brazil, it was first noticed growing wild in New Zealand in 1958. Banana passionfruit is a very aggressive weed

Passiflora tripartita vine covering a strawberry tree (see fruit behind) on the banks of the Te Henui



A Banana passionfruit.

 

 

 

 


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