Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Passiflora miniata Vanderpl.

Synonyms

Passiflora coccinea Aubl.

Family

Passifloraceae

Common Names

red granadilla, red passion flower, red passion-flower, red passionflower, red passionfruit, scarlet passion flower, scarlet passionflower

Origin

Native to tropical South America (i.e. Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Brazil).

Naturalised Distribution

This species is locally naturalised in northern Queensland and in the coastal districts of northern New South Wales. It is possibly also naturalised in south-eastern Queensland.

Also naturalised in south-eastern USA (i.e. Florida).

Notes

Scarlet passionflower (Passiflora miniata) is widely cultivated in Australia for its very attractive bright red flowers, rather than for its fruit. It has recently escaped cultivation and is thought to be a potentially significant weed in the wet tropics region in northern Queensland. Like many other vines, this species can form significant, often rampant, infestations within rainforests and associated systems.

Scarlet passionflower (Passiflora miniata) is becoming particularly invasive around Kuranda. It is listed as an undesirable plant by the local shire council and is ranked among the 16 most significant weeds in the Kuranda area. This species is also becoming naturalised in northern New South Wales and possibly also in south-eastern Queensland. However, it does not seem to produce fruit in sub-tropical climates and it may be restricted to vegetative means of spread in these areas.