Actinidia glabra

Sp.nov

gbif· cc-by

The New York Botanical Garden

gbif· cc-by

The New York Botanical Garden

Summary

A deciduous climbing vine reaching 13.5 meters, frost-tender flowering May to June with seeds ripening in November. Dioecious requiring both male and female plants for seed set, pollinated by bees and insects. Grows in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH, tolerating semi-shade to full sun and preferring moist conditions.

Description

A climber up to 13.5 m long. The fruit is 2.5 cm long and 2 cm wide. It contains a number of small seeds.

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Edible Uses

The large fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It reaches up to 2.5cm long and 2cm wide, and contains numerous small seeds that are soft enough to eat along with the flesh without any special preparation.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is eaten raw or cooked.

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Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It occurs naturally in thickets in Kwangsi Province China.

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. It is part of the A. callosa group. The draft copy of the flora of China treats this plant as a synonym of A. indochinensis. 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.