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(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010 |
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| (c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010 |
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Summary
Bloom Color: Purple, Red
Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Variable height, Variable spread.
Physical Characteristics
Akebia trifoliata is a deciduous Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Clematis trifoliata. A. lobata.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. By. East Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea
Fruit - raw. Sweet but insipid[2, 3, 46, 61, 105]. The fruit has a delicate flavour and a soft juicy texture[K]. The flavour can be enhanced by the addition of a little lemon juice. Valued more as a novelty, the fruit looks somewhat like a deep-purple coloured sausage[183]. The fruit is 7 - 13cm long[200]. The dried young leaves are used as a tea substitute[46, 61, 105, 183].
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.
Analgesic Antibacterial Antifungal Antiinflammatory Antitumor Blood tonic Cardiotonic Diuretic
Emmenagogue Galactogogue Urinary
The stems are analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor. blood tonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, emmenagogue and galactogogue[147, 176]. Taken internally, it controls gram-positive bacterial and fungal infections and is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, lack of menstruation, to improve lactation etc[176, 238]. The stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry
The peeled stems are very pliable. They can be bleached and used in basket making[46, 61]. Landscape Uses: Arbor. The flowers are purple. The flowers have a sweet scent.
Special Uses
Food Forest Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil[11, 200]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[200]. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun[3, 200]. Grows well on a north facing wall[219]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but they can be somewhat tender when young[200]. Another report says that this species is not as hardy as A. quinata, only tolerating temperatures down to -10°c. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. This species grows very well in S.W. England. Resentful of root disturbance, either grow plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young[219]. Plants are evergreen in mild winters[11]. Fast growing, it can be invasive. It grows well on deciduous trees[28]. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring[202]. Plants are shy to fruit, they possibly require some protection in the flowering season, hand pollination is advisable[3, 11]. Plants are probably self-sterile[182], if possible at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. The fruits are sold in local markets in Japan[46]. The ssp. A. trifoliata australis. (Diels.)Rehd. is used medicinally in China[176]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Surface sow in a light position[133]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[133]. Stored seed should be given 1 month cold stratification[113, 133] 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, July/August in a frame[11, 113]. The cuttings can be slow to root[200]. Cuttings can also be taken of soft wood in spring[113]. Root cuttings, December in a warm greenhouse[113]. Layering in early spring[1]. 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Bayuegua, Bayuezha, Mitsuba-akebi, Three Leaf Akebia [1-4].
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
Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Burkina Faso, China, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, West Africa[1-4]. Native to China.
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 :
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.
Expert comment
Author
(Thunb.)Koidz.
Botanical References
1158200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
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