Akebia x pentaphylla
a deciduous member of the Akebia genus in the family Lardizabalaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Lardizabalaceae
- Genus
- Akebia
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Height
- 9 m
- Flower type
- monoecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw[5]. Sweet but insipid. The fruit has a delicate flavour and a soft juicy texture[K]. The flavour can be enhanced by the addition of a little lemon juice. Valued as a novelty, it looks somewhat like a deep-purple coloured sausage. The dried young leaves are a tea substitute.
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Tea
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The peeled stems are very pliable. They can be bleached and used in basket making[8][9].
- Product or use
- Basketry
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Woods and thickets. A naturally occurring hybrid, A. quinata x A. trifoliata[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Surface sow in a light position[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. Stored seed should be given 1 month cold stratification[3][4] 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. This is a hybrid species and so it will not breed true from seed. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2][3]. The cuttings can be slow to root[5]. Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring[3]. Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse[3]. 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[5]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[5]. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun[5]. Succeeds on a north facing wall[7]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c but they can be somewhat tender when young and are best given some protection at this time[5]. 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[K]. Resentful of root disturbance, either grow plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young[7]. A naturally occurring hybrid, A. quinata x A. trifoliata[5]. Plants are evergreen in mild winters[2][5]. They are fast growing and can be invasive[5]. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring[6]. Shy to fruit, it possibly requires some protection in the flowering season - hand pollination is advisable. Plants are also possibly self-sterile. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202