A climbing liana vine possessing trilobed, serrated leaves with soft, downy undersides, always hairless on top; minute subreniform, aristate, deciduous stipules; flower pendent; sepals and petals light pink to bright pink; floral tube light green; bracts ovate; fruit fusiform, growing larger at high elevations, to 150 g; pericarp soft and yellow to yellow-orange; pulp orange; numerous black seeds (Fruits from America, 2002).
P. tarminiana is a newly described species. It was formerly included with the species P. mollissima, and is still described under this name in many resources. The two species have a number of differing characteristics. P. tarminiana has flowers in which the petals and sepals open flat, or are reflexed back in some cases, and the sepals are close to the end of the floral tube. The nectary chamber is conspicuously wider than the floral tube. P. tripartita var. mollissima never opens its petals and sepals to more than a bell shape, and the sepals are short in relation to the length of the floral tube (Irvine, 2003). Its bracts form a narrow tube. Its stipules are much larger, embracing the stem, and permanent.P. tarminiana is highly tolerant or resistant to the anthracnose affecting fruits and leaves of P. tripartita var. mollissima and it regenerates more easily from the base. It seems more susceptible to attacks of Heliconiid butterfly larvae in the juvenile stage.

On the State of Hawai‘i noxious weed list, where it has invaded huge areas of native forest and the fruit provides a food source for feral pigs (PIER, 2003; Smith, 1998). Also a problem species in New Zealand and South Africa (Binggeli, 1997).
P. tarminiana is often confused with P. mollissima. This is especially true in Hawai‘i, where the 'banana poka', often described as P. mollissima, is actually P. tarminiana. P. tripartita var. mollissima is absent from Hawai‘i (Irvine, 2003).

Adult plants can reach an age of 20 years (Binggeli, 1997).

Often cultivated for fruit and as an ornamental plant, due to its attractive flowers (Binggeli, 1997). On Kauai, banana poka vines are woven into baskets (Starr, F., pers.comm., 2003).

Found in disturbed habitats. Tolerates both high and low light levels, although seedlings do not tolerate dense shade. Tolerant of occasional frosts. Naturally occurs in the Andes, between 2000 and 3600 m a.s.l. Grows in areas with mean annual rainfall between 800 and 1300mm and a mean annual temperature of 11.4 to 15.0°C. Once reaching canopy height the vines spread laterally. (Binggeli, 1997)
In its region of origin, P. tarminiana only exists under cultivation as a fruit crop, with a few individuals escaped from cultivation, but never forming significant wild populations.

Feral pigs, when present, are the principal short-distance dispersal agents. Alien frugivorous and granivorous birds, as well as man, act as long distance dispersal agents (PIER, 2003).
Grows from seed to flowering in around one year. Mainly out-crosses, although self-pollinating may occur. Fruit contains numerous seeds (Binggeli, 1997). Hybridizes easily with other Passiflora species of subgenera Tacsonia and Manicata.

Grown for its fruit in some areas (Binggeli, 1997).Often planted as an ornamental plant because of its attractive flowers (Binggeli, 1997).

P. tarminiana can rapidly reach and smother the forest canopy when the sub-canopy vegetation is disturbed either naturally, by hurricanes and other high winds, or by man or feral pigs (Smith, 1985 in PIER, 2003). P. tarminiana suppresses tree regeneration, topples shallow-rooted trees, kills standing trees through shading, and lowers species richness (Binggeli, 1997).

Physical: Small plants can be hand pulled; older ones must be dug out (PIER, 2003).

\r\n Chemical: Cut vines and treat with herbicide, such as Tordon, Roundup or Escort (Binggeli, 1997; DOC, 2003).

\r\n Biological: Three biocontrol agents have been released in Hawai‘i. Cyanotricha necryia, a foliage-feeding moth, was released in 1988 but failed to establish.
Another moth species, Pyrausta perelegans, was released in 1991. It feeds on the buds, leaves, fruit, and shoot tips of P. tarminiana. It has established but is not common. A leaf spot fungus, Septoria passiflorae, which was released in 1996, is now widespread and causing large disease epidemics. There have been P. tarminiana biomass reductions of 80-95% over more than 2000 ha, giving indications that the leaf spot fungus has great potential. Other agents that are being investigated include Zapriotheca nr. nudiseta, a fly that feeds on flower buds, as well as Josia fluonia and J. ligata, two species of defoliating moths (Landcare Research 1999; 2001). In damp areas P. tarminiana may suffer from slug herbivory (Binggeli, 1997).