Velvet vine
Actinidia eriantha

Family: Actinidiaceae

What it is like

A climbing vine. It grows to 10 m long. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are pale underneath. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The flowers are red. The fruit are up to 3.5 cm long x 3 cm wide. They have white fuzz over the skin. They contain many small seeds.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It occurs naturally in SE China in thickets at 250 - 1000 metres altitude. It is sensitive to frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China

How it is used for food

Fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Actinidia davidii (Franch.); Actinidia lanata (Hemsl.);