Actinidiaceae FAMILY

Actinidia deliciosa

Edibility

5/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Generally a very wholesome and healthy food, the fruit does contain relatively high quantities of the highly active proteolytic enzyme actinidin. This does not seem to be a major health hazard for most people, but it can cause damage to the lips (especially at the corners of the mouth) although usually only if very large quantities of fruit are eaten[ 1056 Title Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding Publication Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33 Author A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Year 2007 ISBN 978-0-471-73214-3 Description A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species). ]. Peeling large numbers of fresh fruit can result in skin loss if hands are not protected[ 1056 Title Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding Publication Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33 Author A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Year 2007 ISBN 978-0-471-73214-3 Description A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species). ]. Some people have a sensitivity to the actinidin and are unable to eat the fruit[ 1056 Title Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding Publication Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33 Author A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Year 2007 ISBN 978-0-471-73214-3 Description A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species). ].

Botanical Description

Actinidia deliciosa is a large deciduous, climbing shrub producing producing one or more branched stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation for support or scramble over the ground where they can form dense thickets[ 1056 Title Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding Publication Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33 Author A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Year 2007 ISBN 978-0-471-73214-3 Description A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species). ]. The Kiwi fruit is widely grown both commercially and in gardens for its edible fruit, which is traded internationally.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - southern China

HabitatMountain slopes in relatively damp, shady or semi-shady areas in gullies, especially along streams, under the tree canopy, or on the edge of the forest, or in clearings in mixed evergreen-deciduous forests[ 1056 Title Genetic Resources of Kiwifruit: Domestication and Breeding Publication Horticultural Reviews; Vol. 33 Author A. Ross Ferguson; Hongwen Huang Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Year 2007 ISBN 978-0-471-73214-3 Description A very detailed look at the horticultural prospects of kiwifruits (Actinidia species). ].