Actinidia lanceolata
Dunn
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 李博恒, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 李博恒, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 李博恒, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
A vigorous deciduous climbing vine growing to 20 meters, hardy to UK zone 6 and not frost tender. Flowers appear May to June with seed maturation in November. Dioecious species requiring both male and female plants for reproduction; pollinated by bees and insects. Tolerates sandy, loamy, or clay soils with mildly acid to alkaline pH. Succeeds in semi-shade or full sun with preference for moist conditions.
Description
A climbing shrub. It grows up to 20 m long. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 4-7 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The flowering branches have rusty hairs. The fruit is very small, about 10 mm x 7 mm.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is ovoid and very small — approximately 10mm long by 7mm wide — and becomes hairless when fully ripe. The flesh contains several small seeds, which are soft enough to eat along with the fruit without any trouble.
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 naturally in SE China on mountain slopes or along river banks between 200 - 600 metres in S Zheijiang, S Guangxi, Fujian and N Guangdong Provinces.
Where It Grows
Asia, China,
Cultivation
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, ideally after 3 months of stratification. Alternatively, sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe in November or upon receipt. 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, once frost risk has passed, when plants are 30cm or more tall. Note that most seedlings are male. Seedlings are prone to damping off and must be kept well ventilated. Softwood cuttings can be taken as soon as they are ready in spring, rooted in a frame. Half-ripe cuttings taken in July/August in a frame achieve a very high success rate. Ripe wood cuttings can also be taken in October/November in a frame.
Other Uses
None known.
Production
Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood, so any pruning is best carried out in the winter.
Notes
There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.
References (2)
- J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 38:356. 1908
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
