Actinidia latifolia

(Gardnner & Champion) Merrill

Broad-leaved actinidia

Actinidiaceae Edible: Fruit 111 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Actinidia latifolia is a species of plant in the Actinidiaceae family. It is found across southeastern China, southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Description

A climber. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows up to 7 m long. The leaves are oval and 8-14 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. The flowers are pale yellow. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The fruit are oval and 2 cm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is fairly large, measuring 3–4cm long and 2–3cm wide, and turns brown and hairless when fully ripe. The flesh contains several small seeds, which are soft enough to eat along with the fruit without difficulty.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are also used for jam or wine.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It grows naturally in China in Guangxi Province. It grows on sunny hillsides. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed or cuttings.

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.

Notes

There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.

Synonyms

Actinidia championii Benth.Heptaca latifolia Gardner & Champ.

Also Known As

Duongdao la-rong

References (6)

Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 9
Du, G., et al, 2009, Antioxidant capacity and the relationship with polyphenol and Vitamin C in Actinidia fruit. Food Chemistry 113: 557-562
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 552
J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 86:330. 1922
Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 51

Show all 6 references