Tropicals & Tender Perennials: HELP! ID a Passiflora Problem, 0 by JLD_II

JLD_II wrote:
Heya friends.
This is a picture of a Passiflora Lutea that was mailed to me earlier this summer as a small cutting. It had signs of this odd bark looking growth around the stem from day 1. I thought it was growing out of it as it put on tons of new growth with no signs of the odd bark. Then I look today to see this stuff has began spreading 3/4ths the way up the vine. I have never seen anything like it, I would describe it as being cork like in looks and texture.
PLEASE let me know if anyone has a clue what the heck is going on with this guy. It hasn't spread to any other plants growing right beside it. I've never seen anything like this before and it has me totally baffled as well as bummed out.
HERE IS THE 1ST PHOTO.