Actinidia fulvicoma

Hance

Actinidiaceae Edible: Fruit 33 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A deciduous climbing vine growing to 10 meters, frost-tender and flowering May to June with seeds maturing in November. Dioecious requiring separate male and female plants for seed development, pollinated by bees and insects. Adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay soils across mildly acid to basic pH ranges, tolerating semi-shade to full sun with a preference for consistently moist soil.

Description

A climbing shrub. It grows 10 m long. The leaves have yellowish hairs underneath. The leaves are 6-18 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The fruit are 2.7 cm long and contain many small seeds.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It grows up to 2.7cm long and contains numerous small seeds that are soft enough to eat along with the flesh without any special preparation.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

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Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It occurs naturally on slopes or in valleys, in the shade or in the open at 500 - 800 metres in Southern China. In Yunnan.

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. The sspp pachyphylla. (Dunn.)Comb. nov. and hirsuta. Finet.&Gagnep. are also found in similar habitats in S. China. 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.