Passiflora tarminiana aka Banana Passionflower

Passiflora tarminiana is an evergreen vine in the passionflower family. Its names include banana passionfruit, banana poka, and curuba. Kew gives its native range as southern Mexico to Venezuela and Peru. Other sources suggest that it first arose in cultivation. No clear wild home is known, so its origins remain uncertain. It now grows in gardens across tropical and subtropical regions. Some plants have spread to the edges of cool mountain forests.

This fast-growing climber reaches about 33 feet [10 metres] in gardens. PFAF lists a spread of about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Its stems may reach 49 feet [15 metres] long. They trail over the ground or climb through nearby plants. Tendrils hold the stems to their supports as they climb. Fine hairs cover the stems, leaf stalks, and three-lobed leaves. Large pink flowers hang down, with pale green bracts at their base. The plant is self-fertile, according to Useful Tropical Plants.

The long fruits turn deep yellow to orange as they ripen. They measure about 0.33–0.46 feet [0.10–0.14 metres] long. Their width is about 0.11–0.15 feet [0.035–0.045 metres]. The fruit has a scent, and growers value its juice. People eat it fresh or use it in fruit salads. It also goes into ice cream, pies, jellies, and drinks. Both home gardeners and commercial growers raise it for food. The sources report no known hazards, but do not establish safety for every plant part. They list no medicinal uses or other uses beyond food.

Give this vine moist soil that drains well and contains humus. A site with dappled shade lets it climb toward sunlight. PFAF also records growth in full sun or partial shade. Loam and clay are suitable when water can drain away. It prefers a soil pH of 6–7. Reported tolerance extends from pH 4.3 to 8. In tropical regions, it grows well in cool upland sites. Farther from the equator, it can grow at lower elevations. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12.

Its strong growth and resistance to pests and disease help fruit growers. Yet that same growth can cause serious harm outside gardens. It has escaped cultivation in Hawaii and New Zealand. There, it can cover native woodland and smother other plants. Both places have declared it a noxious weed. This risk matters when choosing a site for the vine. Check local restrictions before planting where it could spread.