Have you seen the Blue Passion Flower pest plant?

Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea) is a climbing vine with 5 – 7 lobes on each thin mature leaf. It produces attractive white and purple hanging flowers 6 – 9 cm in diameter, from December to April. These are followed by round, inedible fruits, 3 – 5 cm in diameter, green ripening to yellow orange.

It is a rapidly growing vine that forms large masses in medium to high canopy, smothering vegetation and strangling host trees. It is mainly spread by birds, which can distribute the seed a moderate distance from the source plant. It can also grow from layering, putting down roots where stems touch the ground.

It will inhabit light gaps and forest edges, scrub, roadside margins, wastelands, hedges, and domestic gardens. It will readily spread into natural areas, smothering native plants and preventing the establishment of native plant seedlings.

It is in the eradication management category in our pest management plan. That means if you see blue passion flower on your land you need to report it to us within five working days. Landowners must also destroy any blue passion flower on their property, on an annual basis, on the direction of an authorised person.

If you think you have Blue Passion Flower on your property, or think you have seen it in the District, please urgently notify us on 03 543 8400.