This species has a wide range, being found in eastern Russia, Korea, and Japan and throughout much of China. Like many of the other Actinidia species that are widespread geographically, it is polymorphic. The variants tend to have distinct geographic regions, and some of them have been segregated into distinct varieties or even distinct species. One of the most distinctive is Actinidia arguta purpurea (syn Actinidia purpurea Rehder), which predominates in southwest China - it has fruits that are long and dark purple[].
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[], with some later amendments[].

Common Name: Tara Vine

General Information

Actinidia arguta is a deciduous, climbing shrub producing one or more long, branched stems that support themselves by twining around branches etc of nearby plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is being increasingly cultivated for its edible fruit, which is often traded. Several named forms have been developed

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East (Primorye, Sakhalin), China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Climbing up trees in woodland, mountain forests, thickets, streamsides and moist places at elevations of 700 - 3,600 metres[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -30°c or lower, although the young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[]. Some cultivars are said to tolerate temperatures down to about -50°c when fully dormant[]. The plant flowers and fruits well in warmer parts of the temperate zone and is increasingly being seen as having potential even in cooler areas[].
Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[, ]. Tolerates acid and moderately alkaline soils[]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[]. Prefers a sheltered position[].
There are some named varieties[].
Plants are usually dioecious, in which case both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[]. However, some forms, including the cultivar 'Issai', are self-fertile[].
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[].
A polymorphic species[].
Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[]. Plants only flower when grown in warm climates[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[, , , ]. The best forms have a sweet, aromatic flavour[]. Sweeter than the kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa)[], the skin is smooth and soft, and can be eaten with the fruit[]. The fruit contains up to 5 times the vitamin C content of blackcurrants[]. Highly esteemed according to one report[] whilst another says that they are insipid[]. The fruits are greenish-yellow or purple-red when mature and are about 2 to 3cm long[, ]. They contain a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[].

The plant is rich in sap and this can be tapped and drunk in the spring[, , ].

The dried leaves are sold in local food markets in Korea - the report does not give details as to how they are used[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[], 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[]. 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[]. Most seedlings are male[]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so they must be kept well ventilated[].
Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very high percentage[].
Cuttings of ripe wood, early autumn/late autumn in a frame.