Its shade tolerance and ability to endure full sun allow it to adapt to nearly all conditions in is grown in. This is because the plant has no natural predators or diseases in North America and can grow as it pleases. This map represents sightings of both wild and cultivated plants.Īkebia quinata is a minor invasive species in the majority of the East Coast and was introduced in 1845 as an ornamental plant. Akebia range Īkebia quinata is native to China, Japan and the Korean peninsula, but is cultivated globally. Range of Akebia quinata worldwide (only includes reports confirmed by botanists.) Potential numbers may far exceed what is shown in this map. Quinata means 'divided into five' and is presumably a reference to its lobed leaves. Akebi was originally written as 開 ( あ )け 実 ( び ) derived from akeru ( 開ける, "to open") and mi ( 実, "fruit"), due to how its fruit splits open when ripe. (E.g., male flowers from the mother plant or the male flowers from a clone of the mother plant will not be able to pollinate the female flowers.) Two separate varieties or two Akebia grown from separate seeds are needed to produce to sausage-like fruits Etymology Īkebia comes from the Japanese vernacular name, akebi. Īkebia quinata, and all Akebia species for that matter, will not produce fruit if not pollinated by a genetically different plant. In the US, it suitable for hardiness zones 4–9. This species in considered hardy in all of the United Kingdom and Europe (down to -15 to -20 ☌). In some areas the plant is an invasive species to be avoided. Though not commonly known by the public because of the rarity of the fruit, this may be hailed as an "herbal medicine" for weight loss in the future.Ī bunch of Akebia fruit growing on a vine in western Washington)Īkebia prefers sandy soils with good drainage, and regular watering, though it is drought resistant. (see photo in Gallery)Īkebia quinata consumption has been shown in-vitro to prevent obesity and reduce fat accumulation effectively as well as lower cholesterol levels present in the blood of rodents. One of these is the "Silver Bells" Akebia which has silvery white flowers with purple stamen. Various breeders of the plant have created new subspecies with their own unique colored flowers. The flowers bloom generally in April - May and produce a "chocolatey" aroma which is often compared to vanilla or sometimes nutmeg rather than chocolate. It is primarily used to cover less attractive spots on the sides of businesses or a ground cover to prevent erosion of hills. Ornamental Īkebia quinata is often grown as an ornamental plant in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. The fruit can be processed into jams, jellies, drinks and even added to smoothies or ice-creams. They are discarded by means of "Spitting it out" or simply swallowing them whole. the seeds are very bitter and can even lead to throat irritation if chewed. Often eaten fresh, the Akebia fruit is best after it fully opens naturally on the vine. The rind, with a slight bitter taste, is used as vegetable, e.g., stuffed with ground meat and deep-fried. The fruit contains a sweet soft pulp resembling a white Dragon fruit, eaten primarily in Japan as a seasonal delicacy. The gelatinous placentation contains seeds surrounded with white pulp, that has a sweet flavor. The fruits are sausage-shaped pods which contain edible pulp. The flowers are clustered in racemes and are chocolate-scented, with three or four sepals. The woody stems are greyish-brown with lenticels. Description Īkebia quinata is a climbing evergreen shrub that grows to 10 m (30 ft) or more in height and has palmately compound leaves with five elliptic or obovate leaflets that are notched at the tip. Akebia quinata, commonly known as chocolate vine, five-leaf chocolate vine, or five-leaf akebia, is a shrub that is native to Japan (known as akebi ( アケビ, 通草, 木通)), China and Korea, commonly used as an ornamental / edible plant in the United States and Europe In its native habitat, it is often found on hills, in hedges, on trees, along forest edges and streams, and on mountainous slopes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |