Kokuwa
Actinidia callosa

Family: Actinidiaceae

What it is like

A climber to 9 m long. The stems can be 10 cm across. The leaves are stalked. The leaves are 8-15 cm long and oval and pointed. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The flowers are 1.5-2.5 cm across. There are five rounded petals that are overlapping. Flowers are white. The fruit is a green berry. Fruit are 1.8-2.2 cm long and have many small seeds.

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

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in W. China and the Himalayas in forests and shrubby areas up to 3000 metres altitude. In Nepal they grow at 1300-3000 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Caucasus, China, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Malaysia, Manchuria, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are also used for jam. They are acid. They are also dried and used in pastries.

Edible parts

Fruit, shoots

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.

In India plants flower and fruit April to August.

Its other names

Local names

Khasi-mei-soh-khan, Kiwi, Locu, Mei-jaior, Mei-soh-khan, Red-spotted kiwifruit, Tekphal, Theki phal, Thum-mrep

Synonyms

Actinidia rupa Miq.; Actinidia volubilis Carr.;