Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

Previous status: Not a named pest in current RPMP.

New management category: Eradication – whole region

Rationale for inclusion

Blue passion flower has been in the region for 20-25 years but now seems to be expanding its range. Estimated current extent is mainly in Nelson urban areas, originating as garden escapees. We need to act quickly while there is still a chance to eradicate this plant. It already occurs in the Grampians where mature vines were found during 2023 and there are lots of seeds in the infested areas. There are current sites in Tasman, on individual properties in Wakefield and Murchison, and a larger infestation in Hope.

Description and adverse effects

A vigorous evergreen climbing vine with hanging white-purple flowers. It can be distinguished from all other passionfruit by most of the leaves having five narrow lobes. Fruits are round, 3-5 cm, and ripen from green to orange. This species is mainly spread by birds eating the fruits, so often turns up below roosting spots such as large trees and in hedges. 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.

Plan Rule

Specific Rule for Blue Passion Flower in the Tasman-Nelson region

Over the duration of this Plan, occupiers within the Tasman-Nelson region must:

a. Report sightings of blue passion flower on their land to Tasman District Council within five working days of their sighting.

b. Destroy any blue passion flower on their property, on an annual basis, on the direction of an authorised person.

A breach of this rule is an offence under Section 154N(19) of the Act.