Common Name: Akebia

General Information

Akebia quinata is an evergreen, climbing shrub, becoming deciduous in cold winters. The slender, branching stems can be 12 metres or more long, they twine into any surrounding vegetation or, in their absence, scramble over the ground where they often form dense thickets[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The stems are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, being harvested from the wild and traded[]. The fruits are sometimes sold as food in local markets[]. The plant is grown as an ornamental.
The plant grows rapidly and can become a nuisance in the garden if it is not given sufficient space. It has escaped from cultivation in some areas - in the eastern states of USA, for example, it has invaded native areas where it can easily crowd out the native vegetation[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Woods, hedges and thickets in mountainous areas[]. Forest margins along streams, scrub on mountain slopes at elevations from 300 - 1,500 metres in China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Climber
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Akebia quinata is a faily hardy plant - when dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -20 to -30°c. However, plants can be somewhat tender when young - new growth in spring can be damaged even by light frosts[, , ].
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[]. Prefers a good loamy soil[]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[]. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun[, ]. Succeeds on shady walls[].
It is best to grow the plants in a position that is sheltered from the early morning sun, especially in spring, in order to help protect the plant from potential frost damage[].
Plants are fast growing and can be invasive[].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance - either grow the plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young[].
Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring[].
The flowers have a spicy fragrance, reminiscent of vanilla[].
Plants are shy to fruit outside their native range - they possibly require some protection in the flowering season, hand pollination is advisable[, ]. Plants are probably self-sterile[, ], if possible at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. Sweet but insipid[]. The fruit has a delicate flavour and a soft, juicy texture[]. Lemon juice is sometimes added to the fruit to enhance the flavour[]. The fruits split open in autumn to reveal small black seeds imbedded in a whitish pulp[]. The bitter skin of the fruit is fried and eaten[]. The fruit is 5 - 10cm long and up to 4cm wide[, ].

Soft young shoots are used in salads or pickled[].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

The stems are anodyne, antifungal, antiphlogistic, bitter, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, laxative, galactogogue, resolvent, stimulant, stomachic and vulnerary[, , , ]. Taken internally, it controls bacterial and fungal infections and is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, lack of menstruation, to improve lactation etc[].
The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The fruit is antirheumatic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[]. It is a popular remedy for cancer[].

The root is febrifuge[].

The plant was ranked 13th in a survey of 250 potential antifertility plants in China[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants have sometimes been used as a ground cover, but their method of growth does not really lend themselves to this use[]. The plants can form a dense ground cover, especially in the dappled shade of a woodland, but their ability to also climb into the trees can make them rather a nuisance[].

Other Uses

The peeled stems are very pliable and can be used in basket making[].

Extracts of the whole plant and also of the flowers and the stems are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as skin conditioners[].
The oil from the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[].
An extract of the peel (probably of the fruit) is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant and skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Surface sow in a light position[]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[]. Stored seed should be given 1 month cold stratification[, ] and can be very difficult to germinate. When 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. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[, ]. The cuttings can be slow to root[].
Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring[].
Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse[].
Layering in early spring[]. Very easy, the plants usually self-layer and so all you need to do is dig up the new plants and plant them out directly into their permanent positions.