Common Name:

General Information

Akebia longeracemosa 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 trees and shrubs 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, and quite possibly also as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China (southern Hunan, Guangdong, Fuijan), Taiwan

Habitat

Evergreen forests and mountain slopes; at elevations from 300 - 1,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Climber
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Flies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Akebia longeracemosa is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -8°c when fully dormant. The young growth in spring is more tender, and can be damaged even by light frosts in the spring.
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[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The thick-walled, leathery, reddish purple, oblong fruit is around 6 - 7cm long and 2cm wide, containing numerous seeds surrounded by a sweet, gelatinous pulp[, ].

Medicinal

We have no specific information for this species, but it is closely related to Akebia quinata (and has it times been included in that species) and so is very likely to have similar medicinal uses. These are:-
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[].

Other Uses

None known

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.