Common Name:

General Information

Stauntonia libera is an evergreen climbing shrub with woody stems 6 - 7 metres long that twine into the surrounding vegetation[, ].
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 (Xizang, Yunnan), northern Myanmar, northrn Vietnam

Habitat

Forest margins on mountain slopes; at elevations around 1,600 - 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Stauntonia libera is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern China and northern Indo-China[]. It can tolerate some frost though no precise details have been seen. It is unlikely to withstand prolonged periods below around -5°c, though it might tolerate short periods down to around -10°c[].
The plant requires a sheltered situation, protected from freezing winds, in a free-draining, fertile soil[].
The flowers are scented[

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The bright yellow, narrowly ovoid fruit can be up to 15cm long[, ]. The fruit contains a gelatinous pulp surrounding numerous seeds.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed can take 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors[].
Cuttings.