Actinidia coriacea
an evergreen member of the Actinidia genus in the family Actinidiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Actinidiaceae
- Genus
- Actinidia
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 8 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 or cooked[12][7]. Small but very juicy and full of seeds[6]. The fruit is up to 2cm long[8]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - W. China in Sichuan and Baoxing provinces.
- Habitat
- Hedges and woods[3]. Thickets, 200 - 1000 metres from Kweichow and Szechuan to N.W. Yunnan[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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[4]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[2], 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[4]. 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[3]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[2]. 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[2]. 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][9]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[9]. Prefers a sheltered position[9]. A fairly hardy plant, succeeding in many parts of the country[1], but young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[5]. Plants are semi-evergreen in mild winters[10]. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[3], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[10]. The flowers are softly scented[11]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[9]. Plants are often erroneously labelled A. henryi in British nurseries[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 1984-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Li. H. L. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum. 1952-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7