Practical
Plants

Actinidia arguta

Tara Vine

a deciduous member of the Actinidia genus in the family Actinidiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
15 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees, Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[1][16][17][2]. Sweeter than A. deliciosa, the kiwi fruit[10], the skin is smooth and can be eaten with the fruit[K]. The fruit contains up to 5 times the vitamin C content of blackcurrants[18]. Highly esteemed according to one report[7] whilst another says that they are insipid[3]. The fruits are about 2 to 2.5cm long[11]. They contain a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K]. The plant is rich in sap and this can be tapped and drunk in the spring[2][9][10].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Sap

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan
Habitat
Climbing up trees in woodland at elevations of 100 - 2000 metres[3][11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[6]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[4], either sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in November or as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°c, stored seed can take longer[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are 30cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[K]. Most seedlings are male[5]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so they must be kept well ventilated[4]. Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very high percentage[4]. Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[1][12]. Tolerates acid and moderately alkaline soils[13]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[12]. Prefers a sheltered position[12]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -30°c or more, but the young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[8]. Some cultivars are said to tolerate temperatures down to about -50°c when fully dormant[8]. This species is often cultivated for its edible fruit and it is increasingly being seen as having potential in Britain. There are some named varieties[10]. Plants are usually dioecious but the cultivar 'Issai' is self-fertile[12]. A polymorphic species[18]. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[5], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[14]. Plants only flower when grown in warm climates[13]. This species flowers well in gardens in the south and west of Britain[14], the small flowers being sweetly scented[15]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[12]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N. Corean Flora. Royal Asiatic Society 1918-00-00

    ↩

  8. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩1↩2

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Li. H. L. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum. 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  14. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  16. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  18. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page