Botanical description
Akebia species are deciduous or semi-evergreen woody vines. Vines will grow up supports if available or along the ground. Akebia trifoliata has compound leaves consisting of three leaflets which are ovate to elliptic or ovate with a truncated wedge shaped base. Flowering lasts for 30 to 60 days from March to May (East Asia). Akebia plants are monoecious with flowers functionally unisexual. The flowers are usually produced on 1 year old shoots. Flowers are strongly protogynous, self-incompatible, and require cross-pollination.[2]Uses
Edible uses
Notes
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.[2]
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%). [2]
Fruit
Raw as a Fruit
Fruit rind
Cooked as a Vegetable
Leaves, Young Leaves
Dried as a Tea
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Akebia species have been used for centuries in the traditional medicinal practices of China and Japan. The dried stems of A.trifoliata are known as mutong in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia[2] and mokutsu in Kampo, the traditional herbal medicine of Japan[10].
The stems are analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, blood tonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, emmenagogue and galactogogue[11][12]. 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[12][13]. Other reported ethnobotanical uses include the treatment of amenorrhea, poor circulation, dysuria, edema[14], gonorrhea, jaundice[10] rheumatoid arthritis[2] and as a nervine[14]. They are also reported to have anticancer properties[2].
The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[13].
Stems
Dried as an Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiinflammatory, Antitumor, Blood tonic, Cardiotonic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Galactogogue, Nervine
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Layering in early spring[15]. The plants often self-layer and can be dug up and transplanted[2].
Seed can be difficult to germinate and cuttings can be slow to root[16].
Seed
A traditional practice to enhance germination is to soak and rub the seedcoat with either a 10% tea solution or with plant ashes[2].
Freshly gathered seed can be sown directly in to cold frames. Surface sow in a light position[17] or to a depth of 2 - 3 cm[2]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[17].
For stored seeds cold stratification (5 °C) for 14 days[2] to 1 month[18][17] is recommended. Stratified seeds can be planted in to prepared seed beds or containers[2].
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. When seedlings are around 30 cm tall they can be transplanted into the field[2]. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Rooted cuttings
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[19][18]. The cuttings can be slow to root[16]. Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring[18]. Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse[18].
Twigs greater than 0.5 cm in diameter with well developed buds have proven most successful[2]. For the propagation of cuttings, shade of 60% of full sunlight is required[2].
Cultivation
Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[19][16]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[16]. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun[4][16]. Grows well on a north facing wall[20].
Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but they can be somewhat tender when young[16]. 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[20].
Plants are semi-evergreen[1] or evergreen in mild winters[19]. The vines grow well on deciduous trees[21]. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring[22] or during winter dormancy [2]. Keep 7 to 15 buds to serve as replacements for fruiting canes[2].
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[4][19]. Plants are self-sterile, at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source[1].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[16].
Crops
The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in Japan[5] and China[2].
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).[2] Fruits ripen over 40 to 50 days from late September to early November (northern hemisphere) depending on the latitude[2]. A. trifoliata has the largest fruit of all Akebia species ranging from 25 to 300 grams each[2].
Fruit
Harvest
Optimal harvest time is approximately one week before the fruit naturally splits open - when there is a visible gray line along the ventral suture[2]. When ripe the fruit skin splits open exposing the sweet flesh of the fruit which will likely attract insects and birds[2].
Stem
Harvest
The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[13]. Dried stems are used in traditional Chinese[1][2] and Japanese[10] medicine.
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Akebia trifoliata. 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 Akebia trifoliata.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Crawford, Martin Creating a Forest Garden: Working with nature to grow edible crops. Green Books ISBN 978-1-900322-62-1 ()
- ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.102.112.122.132.142.152.162.172.182.192.202.212.222.232.242.252.262.272.282.29 Li Li et al. [Akebia: A Potential New Fruit Crop in China] American Society for Horticultural Science (2013/03/14)
- ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.3 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (32202/01/01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
- ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
- ? 7.07.17.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
- ? 8.08.1 [Akebia] Wikipedia (2013/03/14)
- ? 9.09.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? 10.010.110.2 Rister, Robert Japanese Herbal Medicine: The healing art of Kampo Avery ISBN 0-89529-836-8 (1999/03/01)
- ? 11.011.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
- ? 12.012.112.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (32202/01/01)
- ? 13.013.113.213.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
- ? 14.014.1 Dr. James Duke [Akebia trifoliata: Ethnobotanical uses] Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (2013/03/14)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
- ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.516.616.716.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 17.017.117.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (32202/01/01)
- ? 18.018.118.218.3 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (32202/01/01)
- ? 19.019.119.219.319.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)
- ? 20.020.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (32202/01/01)
- ? Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (32202/01/01)
- ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (32202/01/01)
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