Actinidiaceae FAMILY

Actinidia chinensis

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Actinidia chinensis is a large, deciduous, climbing shrub producing one or more branched stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation for support. The stems can grow 30 metres long, though are usually much smaller in cultivation[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. This is the original kiwi fruit from which the cultivated kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) with its larger fruit was developed. The plant has long been harvested from the wild as a food, and is also ofen cultivated, especially forms known as golden kiwifruits withtheir smooth skins and more golden flesh.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - central and southern China, Taiwan.

HabitatMountain forests, oak forests, sparse secondary forests, tall grassy thickets on low mountains, thickets at lower elevations; growing on slopes and in ravines; at elevations from 200 - 2,600 metres[ 109 Title Plantae Wilsonae. Vol 1 - 3 Publication Author Wilson. E. H. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher University Press; Cambridge. Year 1911 - 1917 ISBN Description Details of the palnts collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Gives some habitats. Not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. , 198 Title Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. Vol. 33. Publication Author Li. H. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University Year 1952 ISBN - Description A botanical magazine, it contains a monograph of the genus Actinidia. Available to download from the Internet. , 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].