Japanese Staunton vine, Staunton's climber
Stauntonia hexaphylla

Family: Lardizabalaceae

What it is like

An evergreen twining climber. It can grow 10-13 m long. It spreads 3-5 m wide. The leaves occur alternately. They are compound leaves with 3-7 leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand. The leaflets are 10 cm long. The flowers are bell-shaped and 2 cm across. They are white with a mauve flush. Plants are separately male and female. The fruit are 5 cm long and oval reddish-purple berries. They have a juicy, sweet flavour.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. They do best with a long, hot summer. They need some shelter from wind and strong sun. They do best in a moist, well-drained humus rich soil. In Japan it grows on the edge of forests between 200-1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, SE Asia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten fresh. They can also be boiled to soften them.

It is cultivated for its fruit in Japan. The fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings should be of half-ripened wood. Seed can take a long time to germinate.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Mube

Synonyms

Rajania hexaphylla Thunb. ex Murray;