We are following the treatment of Christenhusz M.J.M., An Overview of Lardizabalaceae, Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Vol 29, Issue 3 September 2012 pp 235-267[], who treats the genus Holboellia as being synonymous with Stauntonia. This treatment has not been fully accepted as of 2019 and many publications, such as the flora of China[] still accept the genus Holboellia, treating this taxon as Holboellia brachyandra H.N.Qin.

Common Name:

General Information

Stauntonia brachyandra is an evergreen climbing shrub with twining stems up to 5 metres long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (southeastern Yunnan), northern Vietnam

Habitat

Evergreen forest margins along valleys, climbing on small trees, often in somewhat degraded areas at the edge of the forest; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,050 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Stauntonia brachyandra is found in the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern China and Vietnam. Cold-tolerance is not known at present, but it is likely to withstand at least some frost and to succeed outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone such as parts of western Europe and northwestern North America[].
Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade, preferring a fertile, well-drained soil that is rich in humus, and a position sheltered from strong and cold winds[].
The plant is monoecious, producing racemes of flowers with one or two female flowers at the base and four or five male flowers at the tip[].
The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The thick-walled, purplish-red, cylindrical fruit is around 125mm long, containing numerous seeds embedded in a thin, sweet-flavoured white pulp[]

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no details on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise as soon as you obtain it, in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of softwood[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in late summer or autumn[].
Layering.