If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Temperate Plants

Actinidia rubricaulis

Dunn

Actinidiaceae


The classification of the genus Actinidia is difficult and the taxonomy of some taxa is still confusing. Various studies since 1984 have estimated the genus to comprise anywhere between 54 - 76 species. The species of Actinidia are highly variable in their vegetative structures, as well as in their flowers and fruits, which is the main reason for the difficulty in the classification of the genus. A detailed study of the genus, based on a wide range of specimens, is needed to clarify the situation and it could be many more years of work until a natural classification system is found - Xinwei LI, Jianqiang LI, Djaja Djendoel SOEJART; Advances in the study of the systematics of Actinidia Lindley; Front. Biol. China 2009, 4(1): pp 55 - 61.
The treatment followed here is based mainly on the Flora of China[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
], with some later amendments[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Actinidia callosa coriacea Finet & Gagnep.

Actinidia coriacea (Finet & Gagnep.) Dunn

Common Name:

Actinidia rubricaulis

General Information

Actinidia rubricaulis is a medium to large-sized, semi-evergreen, climbing shrub producing one or more branched stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation for support. The stems are usually up to 10 metres long, but can be longer[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1055
Title
A Taxonomic Revision of Actinidiaceae of Vietnam
Publication
Blumea 52; pp 209 - 243
Author
Nguyen M. Cuong, Djaja D. Soejarto & Jiangquiang Li
Website
http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the Actinidiaceae found in Vietnam
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit in China[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
105
Title
Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher
Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

198
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Vol. 33.
Publication
 
Author
Li. H. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1952
ISBN
-
Description
A botanical magazine, it contains a monograph of the genus Actinidia. Available to download from the Internet.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1055
Title
A Taxonomic Revision of Actinidiaceae of Vietnam
Publication
Blumea 52; pp 209 - 243
Author
Nguyen M. Cuong, Djaja D. Soejarto & Jiangquiang Li
Website
http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the Actinidiaceae found in Vietnam

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Thailand, Vietnam

Habitat

Broad-leaved forests, woods and hedgerows in mountainous areas, at elevations from 300 - 2,900 metres in China[
126
Title
The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985.
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Royal Horticultural Society
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Actinidia and Wisteria species.
,
198
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Vol. 33.
Publication
 
Author
Li. H. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1952
ISBN
-
Description
A botanical magazine, it contains a monograph of the genus Actinidia. Available to download from the Internet.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Streamsides on limestone slopes in tropical monsoon rain forest; at elevations from 1,600 - 1,700 metres in Vietnam[
1055
Title
A Taxonomic Revision of Actinidiaceae of Vietnam
Publication
Blumea 52; pp 209 - 243
Author
Nguyen M. Cuong, Djaja D. Soejarto & Jiangquiang Li
Website
http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
 
Description
A treatment of the Actinidiaceae found in Vietnam
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Climber
Height10.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Actinidia rubricaulis grows from the warm temperate zone of China through to the tropical zone in northern Vietnam where it can be found at elevations from 1,600 - 1,700 metres. It grows in montane areas of southern China where the climate is humid, the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,300 - 2,000mm and summers are long and hot, with a long frost-free period of 270 - 300 days depending on elevation[
1056
Title
Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding
Publication
Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33
Author
A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-471-73214-3
Description
A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species).
]. It is likely to succeed outdoors in warmer regions of the temperate zome. Mature growth is likely to be fairly frost tolerant, though young growth is very susceptible to frost damage[
160
Title
Wonder Crops. 1987.
Publication
 
Author
Natural Food Institute,
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though.
].
Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a sheltered position[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[
126
Title
The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985.
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Royal Horticultural Society
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Actinidia and Wisteria species.
], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[
219
Title
Gardening on Walls
Publication
 
Author
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V.
Publisher
Collins
Year
1983
ISBN
0-00-219220-0
Description
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.
].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Female plants produce morphologically perfect flowers with well-developed pistils and stamens, but their stamens produce nonviable pollen; flowers of male plants have small, rudimentary ovaries without viable ovules but their stamens release viable pollen[
1056
Title
Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding
Publication
Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33
Author
A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-471-73214-3
Description
A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species).
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
105
Title
Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher
Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
]. Small and sweet[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. The ovoid fruit is dark green and hairless when fully ripe[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
], it is about 15mm long, 13mm wide[
198
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Vol. 33.
Publication
 
Author
Li. H. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1952
ISBN
-
Description
A botanical magazine, it contains a monograph of the genus Actinidia. Available to download from the Internet.
]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[
113
Title
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
Publication
 
Author
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
Publisher
Athens Ga. Varsity Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0942375009
Description
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
], either sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late autumn or as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°c, stored seed can take longer[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are 30cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Most seedlings are male[
126
Title
The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985.
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Royal Horticultural Society
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Actinidia and Wisteria species.
]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[
113
Title
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
Publication
 
Author
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
Publisher
Athens Ga. Varsity Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0942375009
Description
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very high percentage[
113
Title
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
Publication
 
Author
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
Publisher
Athens Ga. Varsity Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0942375009
Description
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
Cuttings of ripe wood, autumn in a frame.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Actinidia+rubricaulis>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.