Arctic Beauty, Kolomikta
Actinidia kolomikta

Family: Actinidiaceae

What it is like

A vine which looses its leaves during the year. It climbs to a height of 4-6 m. The stems are slender, woody and branching. The leaves are oval and taper towards the point. The leaves are 15 cm long and when young they have a purple tinge. They become green and blotched with cream and pink. The flowers are white. They have a sweet smell. They are shaped like a cup and 1 cm across. They occur on groups of 3. Male and female flowers occur separately on separate plants. The fruit are yellow. They are egg shaped berries 2 cm long. They are smooth. The fruit are edible.

The unripe fruit have amino acids important for health. It is rich in Vitamin C. There are 40-60 Actinidia species. The Actinidiaceae are a mainly tropical family.

Where it is found

A plant native of China and Japan. It grows naturally in coniferous woodlands and hedges in mountains throughout Japan. It prefers cool well drained soils. It suits a sunny position. It is frost resistant but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Korea, Japan, Lithuania, North America, Russia, Slovenia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are also dried or preserved with salt.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

The plant is grown by cuttings.

It produces fruit in 3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Aktinidija, Kishmish, Manchurian gooseberry, Miyama-mata-tabi

Synonyms

Actinidia gagnepainii Nakai; Actinidia kolomikta var. gagnepainii (Nakai) H.L.Li; Actinidia longicauda F.Chun; Kalomikta mandshurica Regel; Prunus kolomikta Maxim. & Rupr.; Trochostigma kolomikta (Maxim. & Rupr.) Rupr.;