Like other members of the genus Potyvirus, PWV is a monopartite strand of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA surrounded by a capsid made for a single viral encoded protein.

This virus is transmitted by at least two species of aphids (Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii [3]) in a non-persistent manner and by mechanical inoculation.

Because of its effect on the fruit and plant growth, PWV is considered one of the most economically important of the many viruses that have been found infecting Passiflora spp.

Host range inoculations have shown this virus can also infect some cultivars of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata),[13] and Macroptilium lathyroides.

[14] M. latyroides [15] is a native of South America which has been introduced to several other countries including the United States (Florida[16] and Hawaii [17]), India, Australia, and Africa.