Actinidia fortunatii
Finet. & Gagnep.
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A deciduous climbing vine reaching 10 meters, frost-tender with May-June flowers and November seed maturation. Dioecious species requiring male and female plants for reproduction, pollinated by bees and insects. Thrives in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH, growing in semi-shade to full sun and preferring moist soil conditions.
Description
A climbing shrub. It grows to 10 m long. It loses its leaves during the year. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The fruit is up to 2 cm long and contains many small seeds.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is cylindrical in shape, turns grayish-green when fully ripe, and reaches up to 2cm in length. The numerous small seeds within are soft enough to eat along with the flesh.
Traditional Uses
The fruit is eaten raw or cooked.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in low mountain forests. It occurs naturally in Southern China in thickets between 400 - 1300 metres in S. Hunan, Kweichow, Kwangsi and Kwang-tung Provinces.
Where It Grows
Asia, China,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. This very variable species is part of the A. callosa group, it is most closely related to A. coriacea. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production. Prefers a sheltered position. Young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood, any pruning is best carried out in the winter. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Three months of stratification is recommended — either sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe in November, or stratify as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2–3 months at 10°c; stored seed may take longer. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, when plants are 30cm or more tall and after the last expected frosts. Be aware that most seedlings will be male. Keep seedlings well ventilated as they are prone to damping off. Softwood cuttings can be taken as soon as they are ready in spring and rooted in a frame. Half-ripe cuttings taken in July/August root at a very high percentage. Ripe wood cuttings can also be taken in October/November in a frame.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Bull. Soc. Bot. France 53:574. 1906 "fortunati"
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
