Practical
Plants

Akebia trifoliata

Akebia · Three leaf Akebia · Akebi · Bayuezha

an evergreen fruit vine of the Akebia genus in the family Lardizabalaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Akebia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects, Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Flower colours
pink

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit pulp contains 63.5% water. Pulp sugars include fructose, glucose and sucrose. Flesh acidity is low with the principle organic acid being lactic acid. Akebia species are rich in vitamin C (108 to 930 mg/100 g). Of minerals the concentration of potassium (K) (3.21 to 4.96 g/100 g) is highest followed by magnesium (Mg) (1.00 to 1.51 g/100 g) and calcium (0.47 to 0.49 g/100 g). In general, K, Mg, zinc, iron, and manganese contents in Akebia species are higher than other major fruits such as apple, pear, orange, and so on. The fruits are a rich source of amino acids.[22] The seeds of Akebia contain a large amount of fatty acids, mainly including oleic acid (47.63%), palmitic acid (20.14%), and linoleic acid (27.05%).[22]

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Fruit
Plant part
Fruit rind
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Leaves, Young Leaves
Preparation
Dried
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The stems are analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor. blood tonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, emmenagogue and galactogogue[6][7]. Taken internally, it controls gram-positive bacterial and fungal infections and is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, lack of menstruation, to improve lactation etc[7][14]. The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[14].

Plant part
Stems
Preparation
Dried

Material uses

The peeled stems are very pliable. They can be bleached and used in basket making[19][21].

Plant part
Stem
Product or use
Basketry

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Rocky places in woods and thickets to 1800 metres[20]. Semideciduous forest margins, open forest along valleys, scrub on hillsides and by streams at elevations of 200 - 2100 metres[16].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
moist
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Surface sow in a light position[5]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[5]. Stored seed should be given 1 month cold stratification[4][5] and can be very difficult to germinate. When 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. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3][4]. The cuttings can be slow to root[11]. Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring[4]. Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse[4]. Layering in early spring[1]. Very easy, the plants usually self-layer and so all you need to do is dig up the new plants and plant them out directly into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[26][27]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[27]. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun[31][27]. Grows well on a north facing wall[29].

Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but they can be somewhat tender when young[27]. Another report says that this species is not as hardy as A. quinata, only tolerating temperatures down to -10°c. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun.

Resentful of root disturbance, either grow plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young[29].

Plants are semi-evergreen[23] or evergreen in mild winters[26]. The vines grow well on deciduous trees[30]. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring[28] or during winter dormancy[22]. Keep 7 to 15 buds to serve as replacements for fruiting canes[22].

In certain regions it is reported that plants are shy to fruit and possibly require some protection in the flowering season, hand pollination is advisable[31][26]. Plants are self-sterile, at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source[23].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[27].

Crops

The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in Japan[19] and China[22]. Akebia plants begin to flower and set fruit in the second year. While fruit set in the wild is considered low heavy fruiting has been observed in managed orchards (30 tonnes/hectare in the first year of fruiting and 60 tonnes/hectare 3 to 4 years after planting).[22] Fruits ripen over 40 to 50 days from late September to early November (northern hemisphere) depending on the latitude[22]. A. trifoliata has the largest fruit of all Akebia species ranging from 25 to 300 grams each[22].

Fruit

Optimal harvest time is approximately one week before the fruit naturally splits open - when there is a visible gray line along the ventral suture[22]. When ripe the fruit skin splits open exposing the sweet flesh of the fruit which will likely attract insects and birds[22].

Stem

The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[14]. Dried stems are used in traditional Chinese[23][22] and Japanese[25] medicine.

References

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

    ↩

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

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

    ↩

  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↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  7. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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

    ↩

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

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

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

  16. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  17. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

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

  19. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  20. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  22. Li Li et al. [Akebia: A Potential New Fruit Crop in China] American Society for Horticultural Science (2013/03/14)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  23. Crawford, Martin Creating a Forest Garden: Working with nature to grow edible crops. Green Books ISBN 978-1-900322-62-1 ()

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Dr. James Duke [Akebia trifoliata: Ethnobotanical uses] Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (2013/03/14)

  25. Rister, Robert Japanese Herbal Medicine: The healing art of Kampo Avery ISBN 0-89529-836-8 (1999/03/01)

    ↩

  26. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3

  27. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  28. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  29. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  30. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  31. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  32. [Akebia] Wikipedia (2013/03/14)

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