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 grandiflora Réaub.

Common Name:

General Information

Stauntonia grandiflora is a vigorous, evergreen climbing shrub producing branched stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan), Vietnam

Habitat

Grows over scrub and rocks in limestone ravines; at elevations from 1,300 - 1,600 metres[]. Mixed forests, mountain slopes, scrub along valleys; at elevations from 1,100 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Flies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Stauntonia grandiflora is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -5 to -10°c when fully dormant.
Easily grown in any fertile soil in sun or part shade[, ]. Plants grow best on a shady wall or when grown into a tree[]. They succeed in sun or deep shade, but fruits are much more likely to be produced when the plants are grown in a sunny position[, ].
Plants are not fully hardy in Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c[] and can be damaged by prolonged periods below -5°c[]. Plants do not fruit freely in this country[]. Hand pollination would probably help[, ], whilst fruits are more likely to form in hot summers[].
Species in this genus are usually monoecious, though there are instances of plants only bearing flowers of one sex (dioecious)[].
The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented. The males are produced on the previous years wood whilst females are produced on the current years wood[].
Plants are fast growing[] and climb by means of twining[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. The purple fruit can be from 6 - 12cm long, containing numerous seeds embedded in a thin, sweet-flavoured 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.