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Passiflora mollissima, or banana poka, is a vine that wraps itself around trees. It will eventually kill the tree by covering it and depriving it of sunlight. Since it a is a Passaflora and a relative of passion fruit, a biological control, in the form of a fungus or insect, has not been employed in its control. On Kaua'i, where banana poka is widespread, passion fruit is grown as a commercial crop, and it is feared that what attacks banana poka will also damage the passion fruit. The only control for the plant is to physically remove the vine from the trees. In order to promote this, the Koke'e Museum sponsers the Banana Poka Festival in May of each year. Those who attend are taught how to pull vines from the trees and how weave them into baskets. Photo provided by Lorin Gill. |
 The purple flowers are attractive and the seed-bearing, banana-shaped fruit is a food source for birds and wild pigs. Banana poka is a very competitive weed. Photos by Priscilla Millen. |
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