Bat-wing passion flower

Passiflora apetala

Bat-wing passion flower

Pest and disease search

Description

The bat-wing passion flower is a shade tolerant vine that has distinctive bat wing shaped leaves that may have a pale green stripe along the midrib. It has small yellow/light green coloured flowers (7-12 mm diameter) and produces small black berries the size of a small grape (7-15 mm diameter). The berries are inedible and non-toxic to humans but are very attractive to birds.

Impact

Bat-wing passion flower is very invasive, with the ability to smother, shade and strangle the vegetation it grows on. This vine can produce a lot of fruit and many hundreds of seedlings have been found under some plants.

Where is it found?

Bat-wing passion flower has so far been located in Northland, Auckland and Waikato regions. The plant has been found in regenerating native forests and scrub, home gardens and amongst hedges and fence lines. Seedlings are usually found under plants where birds perch.

What to do?

If you find this plant contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.

Page last updated: 29 July 2010