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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Not very palatable, it is eaten salted[2][3]. Some cultivars have nice flavoured fruits[1]. The fruit contains up to 5 times the vitamin C. of blackcurrants[4]. Fairly large fruits, up to 3cm across[5]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked[6][7][8][3][1]. The leaves can also be roasted and mixed with tea[1].

Fruit

Leaves

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Actinidia polygama.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are hallucinogenic and sedative[9]. The leaves contain substances that make them very attractive to cats and for this reason they are especially useful as a sedative for lions etc in zoos[9]. When consumed in large quantities the leaves can have a mild hallucinatory effect[9]. Polygamol, which is made from the fruits, is used as a heart tonic[10]. A dry decoction is used to treat colic and rheumatism[10].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[11]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[12], 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[11]. 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[13]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[12].

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[12].

Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Actinidia polygama. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[14][5]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[5]. Prefers a sheltered position[5].

Plants are hardy to about -30°c. when dormant but young growth in spring can be cut back by late frosts[15]. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[13], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[16]. The flowers are fragrant[17]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[5]. The plant is very attractive to cats and can be damaged by them[4][2][5]. This species has been confused in literature with A. kolomikta[18]. It is closely related but can be distinguished by the leaves which are tapered at the base whilst those of A. kolomikta are heart-shaped[16]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

One report suggests that plants are self-fertile whilst another says that they are dioecious. It is likely that most plants are dioecious but that there are some self-fertile hermaphrodite forms. A cultivar named 418-77 is self-fertile[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Actinidia polygama. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Actinidia polygama.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Actinidia polygama
Genus
Actinidia
Family
Actinidiaceae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    6 x meters
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N. Corean Flora. Royal Asiatic Society (1918-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista ISBN 0-289-70864-8 (1979-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society (1984-00-00)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
    16. ? 16.016.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    17. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    18. ? Li. H. L. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum. (1952-00-00)
    19. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

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