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Actinidia arguta - (Siebold.&Zucc.)Planch. ex Miq.

Common Name Tara Vine
Family Actinidiaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Climbing up trees in woodland, mountain forests, thickets, streamsides and moist places at elevations of 700 - 3600 metres[11, 198,266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan
Edibility Rating    (5 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Actinidia arguta Tara Vine


Actinidia arguta Tara Vine

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Actinidia arguta is a deciduous Climber growing to 15 m (49ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from May to November, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is 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 is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. giraldii. Diels. A. megalocarpa. Nakai. Trochostigma arguta. Sieb.&Zucc.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Sap
Edible Uses:

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 greenish-yellow or purple-red when mature and are about 2 to 3cm long[198, 266]. 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].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Vitamin C

None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

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]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Woody. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2]. The root pattern is a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Bower actinidia, Bower vine, Chamdarae, Cocktail kiwi, Darae, Dessert kiwi, Kokuwa, Sarunashi, Siberian gooseberry, Tara Vine, Tarae, Yang-tao [1-4].

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Manchuria, New Zealand, North America, North Korea, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan, Tibet, USA [1-4].

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Actinidia arguta cordifolia Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM40 
Actinidia arguta rufa Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM40 
Actinidia arisanensis Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia asymmetrica Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa Climber9.0 6-9  LMHSNM301
Actinidia callosa formosana Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa henryi Climber7.0 7-10  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa indochinensis Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia callosa pubescens Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia chinensisKiwiClimber7.5 6-9  LMHSNM422
Actinidia coriacea Climber8.0 5-9  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia deliciosaKiwi FruitClimber9.0 6-9 MLMHSNM511
Actinidia eriantha Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia fortunatii Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia fulvicoma Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia giraldii Climber10.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia glabra Climber13.5 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia hemsleyana Climber9.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia henryi Climber15.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia holotricha Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia hypoleuca Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kiusiana Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kolomiktaKiwiClimber10.0 3-8 MLMHSNM400
Actinidia kolomikta gagnepainii Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia kwangsiensis Climber3.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia lanceolata Climber20.0 5-9  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia latifolia Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia longicauda Climber7.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Actinidia maloides Climber6.0 -  LMHSNM30 
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Siebold.&Zucc.)Planch. ex Miq.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Hal   Tue May 4 21:09:28 2004

Phylogenetic analysis has recently shown that 'Issai' is derived from a cross between a male A. arguta and a female A. rufa.

Victor Evereklian   Fri Jun 2 2006

I bought an actinidia arguta vine 4 years ago.The label said it was both male and female.This year it produced flowers that seem to bear fruit.My question is,did I buy 2 vines (male and female),or is the vine I have self-pollinating?Also,why don't I see 2 types of flowers (male and female)?The flowers on the vine seem to be all female,so how are they being pollinated?Thank you for sending me answers to these questions.Victor.

Mo Studd   Wed Jun 6 2007

I purchased an Actinidia arguta 'Issai' (miniature kiwi fruit) two years ago both years there has been a lot of blossom but no fruit set. I see from the label this is suppposed to be a self fertilising plant and it is not necessary to have a male and female. As I am not getting any fruit can anyone tell me what is wrong@ Did you actually get fruit Victor? Mo

   Sat Jun 20 2009

I have two female and 1 male plants of actinidia arguta. Female ones flowered the first year, but not the male, and I could get fruit from them. Why is this possible? I have near some actinidia deliciosa males. Could those plants pollinate the actinidia arguta? Thanks.

Wouter   Mon Jun 29 2009

Let me shed some light on the questions above. Actinidia arguta is not self pollinating, so guys, the labels are wrong. Whether this is bad intent from the person who sold them, or just unawearness of this fact, I'll leave in the middle. The female plants will produce almost seedless fruits(you can see some seed start, but they aren't actually developped) that are relatively small, even for an A. arguta. If they are pollinated, the fruits will be much larger. This knowledge comes from my personal experience with A. arguta 'Kens Red'. And if you get flowers but no fruits, sorry, but you have a male plant. Hope this sheds some light.

Raffi   Wed Jul 22 2009

Plants.am garden wiki: A. Arguta cultivation information

John S   Sun Oct 11 2009

Actually, Issai is self-fertile. The other argutas will produce a larger, more productive and stronger plant, but Issai is self producing. I grow it.

Gaardenier   Thu Dec 31 2009

In "Propagation" paragraph is written "Most seedlings are male[126]." So the problem is solved as long one is searching for males ? Can we conclude that they are easy to cultivate by anyone? I red about some males: Romeo, Rogow, Meader, aso. Suppose there are in fact in every hybrid, males and females? So what is the point really?

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