Akebia

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Akebia
Akebia quinata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Lardizabalaceae Genus: Akebia Decne.
Species
See text.

Akebia is a genus of just two species of flowering plant, within the family Lardizabalaceae. The scientific name, akebia, is a Latinization of the Japanese name for species Akebia quinata: akebi (通草, akebi^?). They are commonly referred to as chocolate vine, and are grown by gardeners as ornamental climbing vines.

The purple or reddish purple flowers are borne on racemes and have a slight chocolate scent. Their fruits are edible. The two species have been cultivated into several varieties, some of which flower white rather than dark maroon.

• Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne. : five-leaf akebia
• Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. : three-leaf akebia
  • Akebia trifoliata subsp. australis (Diels) T. Shimizu
  • Akebia trifoliata subsp. longisepala H. N. Qin
  • Akebia trifoliata subsp. trifoliata

[edit] References

• Bailey, L. H. (2005). Manual of Gardening (Second Edition).. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. 

[edit] External links

• Akebia: Three Varieties including photographs by Paghat's Garden
• Akebia: Edible Fruits including photographs by Paghat's Garden