Actinidia arguta var. cordifolia

Family: Actinidiaceae

What it is like

A climber which can be 7 m long. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The small flowers are sweetly scented. The fruit is about 2.5 cm long and with a smooth skin.

There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.

Where it is found

It prefers a loamy neutral soil. Although it can grow in light shade it fruits best in full sun. During the dormant stage it can tolerate temperatures down to -30°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Korea

How it is used for food

Fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°C and stored seed can take longer. Seedlings should be transplanted out when 30 cm tall and after the last frosts. (Most seedlings are male.) Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Fruit are produced on second year wood and on fruit spurs on older wood.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Actinidia cordifolia (Miq.); Actinidia platyphylla (A.Gray.); Actinidia rufa cordifolia (Dunn.); Actinidia rufa dulcisisma (Koidz.);