Chocolate vine

Profile

Family

Lardizabalaceae

Habit

Climber

Height

13.5 m

Spread

2 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

40 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 4–8

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very moist

pH

5 – 8

Synonyms

Akebie

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit - raw. Sweet but bland. The fruit has a delicate taste and a soft, juicy texture. Sometimes lemon juice is added to enhance the flavor. The fruit's bitter peel is fried and eaten. The fruit is 5 - 10 cm long and up to 4 m wide. Soft young shoots are used in salads or pickled. The leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Medicinal: The seed has anti-rheumatic and emetic properties. It has a sweet taste and is traditionally used to treat contracted limbs due to paralysis or rheumatism. Additionally, it is used to relieve abdominal pain.

Other uses: The peeled stems are very flexible and can be used for basket weaving. While the plants have been occasionally used as ground cover, their growth habit is not really suitable for this purpose.

Propagation

Sow seeds immediately after ripening in a cold frame, sowing them on the surface in a bright location. Seeds typically germinate in 1-3 months at 15°C. Stored seeds should undergo cold stratification for 1 month and may be very challenging to germinate. Once large enough, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them in the first winter at least in light shade in the greenhouse. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Take semi-ripe cuttings in July/August in a cold frame. The cuttings may root slowly. Softwood cuttings can also be taken in spring. Root cuttings in December in a warm greenhouse. Layering in spring. It is very simple as the plants usually layer themselves, so you just need to dig up the new plants and plant them directly in their final location.

Notable

Special characteristics: thrives on north-facing walls, prefers partial shade and loamy soil; fruits last for 2 weeks at room temperature, 3 months when stored; the plant is said to exhibit invasive behavior in some locations; there are fruit selections: 'White Chocolate' & 'Alba', ...; cross-pollination possible with related Akebia trifoliata.

Origin & habitat

East Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

In the forest at 100-2000m altitude, there is a variety of plants and animals. The air is fresh and clear, allowing for an experience of nature in its purest form. It is a place of tranquility and relaxation, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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