We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Actinidia purpurea - Rehder.

Common Name Purple hardy kiwi
Family Actinidiaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountain forests, thickets, streamsides and moist places at elevations of 700 - 3600 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - W. China
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Actinidia purpurea Purple hardy kiwi


Actinidia purpurea Purple hardy kiwi

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Actinidia purpurea is a deciduous Climber growing to 10 m (32ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. melanandra latifolia. E.Pritz. ex Diels. A. rufa arguta. Dunn. A. rufa typica. Dunn. A. charta

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[3, 105]. Sweet[177, 183, 200]. The fruit is up to 2.5cm long[198]. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[1, 200]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[200]. Prefers a sheltered position[200]. Dormant plants are very hardy but young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[160]. Fruits are formed on second year wood and also on fruit spurs on older wood[126], any pruning is best carried out in the winter[219]. This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[200]. This species is possibly no more than a form of A. arguta[198], differing in its longer narrower leaves[126, 200]. It is treated as a synonym of A, arguta in the draft Flora of China[266]. At least one named variety has been developed for its edible fruit[183]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Woody. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[133]. It is probably best if the seed is given 3 months stratification[113], either sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in November or as soon as it is received. Fresh seed germinates in 2 - 3 months at 10°c, stored seed can take longer[133]. 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[K]. Most seedlings are male[126]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, they must be kept well ventilated[113]. Cuttings of softwood as soon as ready in spring in a frame[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very high percentage[113]. Cuttings of ripe wood, October/November in a frame.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Purple Chinese gooseberry,

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, China, USA [1-4].

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Actinidia argutaTara VineClimber15.0 4-8  LMHSNM502
Actinidia arguta cordifolia Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM40 
Actinidia arguta rufa Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM40 
Actinidia arisanensis Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia asymmetrica Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa Climber9.0 6-9  LMHSNM301
Actinidia callosa formosana Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa henryi Climber7.0 7-10  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa indochinensis Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa pubescens Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia chinensisKiwiClimber7.5 6-9  LMHSNM422
Actinidia coriacea Climber8.0 5-9  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia deliciosaKiwi FruitClimber9.0 6-9 MLMHSNM511
Actinidia eriantha Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia fortunatii Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia fulvicoma Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia giraldii Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia glabra Climber13.5 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia hemsleyana Climber9.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia henryi Climber15.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia holotricha Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia hypoleuca Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kiusiana Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kolomiktaKiwiClimber10.0 3-8 MLMHSNM400
Actinidia kolomikta gagnepainii Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kwangsiensis Climber3.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia lanceolata Climber20.0 5-9  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia latifolia Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia longicauda Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia maloides Climber6.0 -  LMHSNM30 
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Rehder.

Botanical References

11109200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Actinidia purpurea  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.