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chocolate vine
Scientific Name: Akebia
Family: Lardizabalaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Akebia quinata: The Chocolate Vine
Akebia quinata, commonly known as chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia, is a vigorous, twining, semi-evergreen climbing shrub prized for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a climbing vine, and the text refers to "large, sausage-shaped fruits." This might pose a potential choking hazard.
Considerations for Children
- The plant produces "large, sausage-shaped fruits," which may attract the attention of young children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne.
- Common Names: Chocolate vine, Five-leaf Akebia, Fiveleaf Akebia
- Family: Lardizabalaceae (Lardizabala family)
- Synonyms: Rajania quinata
- Also mentioned: Akebia trifoliata
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Japan, China, and Korea.
- Naturalized in the eastern United States from Georgia northward.
- Also found in isolated areas of Southern Illinois.
- Mentioned as having been brought to New Zealand.
Ecological Role
- Akebia quinata is described as an invasive deciduous to evergreen climbing or trailing vine.
- It invades forested areas throughout the eastern United States.
- It is a fast-growing, shade-tolerant woody twining vine that has escaped cultivation and threatens native ecosystems.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Vigorous twining climber.
- Semi-evergreen.
- Palmate or trifoliate leaves.
- Racemes of cup-shaped purplish female and smaller male flowers.
- Produces large, sausage-shaped fruits (if cross-pollinated by another clone).
- Fast-growing, twining woody vine.
- Final height 3m to 7.5m, final width 3m to 4m.
Flowering and Fruiting
- Clusters of chocolate-scented, wine-red flowers in spring.
- Flowers are maroon-chocolate and described as looking almost artificial.
- Fragrant flowers, with scents of vanilla or chocolate.
- The flowers have a pink calyx and purple petals.
- Fruits grow to about 4" and contain edible pulp.
Quirky Facts
- The common name, "chocolate vine," derives from the fragrance of its flowers.
- The maroon-chocolate flowers are described as looking almost artificial, with three thick, waxy petals.
- The fruits, when present, are sausage-shaped.
- One source mentions a fruit with a pineapple and passion fruit scent.