Akebia, Threeleaf Akebia
Akebia trifoliata
Family: Lardizabalaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Purple, Red Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Variable height, Variable spread.
Akebia trifoliata is a deciduous Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Rocky places in woods and thickets to 1800 metres. Semideciduous forest margins, open forest along valleys, scrub on hillsides and by streams at elevations of 200 - 2100 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Burkina Faso, China, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, West Africa. Native to China.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw. Sweet but insipid. The fruit has a delicate flavour and a soft juicy texture. The flavour can be enhanced by the addition of a little lemon juice. Valued more as a novelty, the fruit looks somewhat like a deep-purple coloured sausage. The fruit is 7 - 13cm long. The dried young leaves are used as a tea substitute.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The stems are analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor. blood tonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, emmenagogue and galactogogue. 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. The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.
Antifungal: An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?
Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 2
The peeled stems are very pliable. They can be bleached and used in basket making. Landscape Uses: Arbor. The flowers are purple. The flowers have a sweet scent.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun. Grows well on a north facing wall. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but they can be somewhat tender when young. 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. This species grows very well in S.W. England. Resentful of root disturbance, either grow plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young. Plants are evergreen in mild winters. Fast growing, it can be invasive. It grows well on deciduous trees. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring. Plants are shy to fruit, they possibly require some protection in the flowering season, hand pollination is advisable. Plants are probably self-sterile, if possible at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source. The flowers are sweetly scented. The fruits are sold in local markets in Japan. The ssp. A. trifoliata australis. (Diels.)Rehd. is used medicinally in China. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Surface sow in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Stored seed should be given 1 month cold stratification 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. The cuttings can be slow to root. Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring. Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse. Layering in early spring. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. By. East Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 5-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Bayuegua, Bayuezha, Mitsuba-akebi, Three Leaf Akebia.
Synonyms
Clematis trifoliata. A. lobata.