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Actinidia arguta

Common name:	Tara Vine	Family:	Actinidiaceae
Author:	(Siebold.& Zucc.)Planch. ex Miq.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:	Trochostigma arguta (Siebold.& Zucc.), Actinidia megalocarpa (Nakai.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan
Habitat:	Climbing up trees in woodland at elevations of 100 - 2000 metres[11, 198].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	5	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Trochostigma argutum[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Kiwifruit [H], Tara Vine [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	arguta = sharply toothed
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Theales. Chinese Gooseberry family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious climber growing to 15m. It is hardy to zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to November, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in October. The scented flowers are 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 are pollinated by Bees and insects. The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 5/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.

Cultivar 'Ananasnaja': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.
Cultivar 'Issai': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.
Cultivar 'Langer': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.

Edible Uses

Fruit Sap.

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[1, 3, 61, 105]. Sweeter than A. deliciosa, the kiwi fruit[183], the skin is smooth and can be eaten with the fruit[K]. The fruit contains up to 5 times the vitamin C content of blackcurrants[74]. Highly esteemed according to one report[151] whilst another says that they are insipid[11]. The fruits are about 2 to 2.5cm long[198]. They contain a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit[K].
The plant is rich in sap and this can be tapped and drunk in the spring[105, 177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a sound loamy neutral soil[1, 200]. Tolerates acid and moderately alkaline soils[202]. Succeeds in semi-shade but full sun is best for fruit production[200]. Prefers a sheltered position[200].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -30° c or more, but the young spring growth is susceptible to frost damage[160]. Some cultivars are said to tolerate temperatures down to about -50° c when fully dormant[160].
This species is often cultivated for its edible fruit and it is increasingly being seen as having potential in Britain. There are some named varieties[183]. Plants are usually dioecious but the cultivar 'Issai' is self-fertile[200].
A polymorphic species[74].
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]. Plants only flower when grown in warm climates[202]. This species flowers well in gardens in the south and west of Britain[219], the small flowers being sweetly scented[245].
This is a climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around branches etc[200].
Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

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, so 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.

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The small flowers are sweetly scented.

Cultivars

'Langer' 'Hood River': Bears medium-size fruit of fine quality[183]. The original plant is from a homestead high in the Cascade Mountains where it had to endure summer droughts, deep snow, severe cold and wind, and other adverse conditions[183].
'Issai': A long fruit, up to 4cm in diameter, it is sweet with a good flavour and high quality[183]. The fruit is seedless when it is not pollinated[183]. This cultivar can produce fruits in the absence of a male pollinator, often in the first year after grafting, but yields will be increased if the plant is pollinated[183].
'Ananasnaja': A medium-size fruit, 4cm long and 2½ cm in diameter[183]. Juicy and sweet with a distinct pineapple-like aroma and flavour[183]. Possibly a hybrid with A. kolomikta, it is a reliable bearer that often produces fruit in bunches like grapes[183]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -35° c when fully dormant[183].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Actinidiaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[126] ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 1984
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Actinidia and Wisteria species.

[133] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[151] Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N. Corean Flora. Royal Asiatic Society 1918
A very small handbook, it does give a little bit of information on Korean plants.

[160] Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[198] Li. H. L. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Volume 32. Arnold Arboretum. 1952
A monograph of the genus Actinidia.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[202] Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

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