- Akebia quinata
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Akebia quinata 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Lardizabalaceae Genus: Akebia Species: A. quinata Binomial name Akebia quinata
(Houtt.) Decne.Synonyms Rajania quinata Houtt.
Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine or Five-leaf Akebia) is a shrub that is native to Japan, China and Korea.[1][2]
It grows to 10 metres or more in height and has compound leaves with five leaflets. The inflorescences are clustered in racemes and are chocolate-scented, with three or four sepals. The fruits are sausage-shaped pods which contain edible pulp.[1]
In China A. quinata is referred to as 木通 ("mù tōng" (Pinyin) or "mu tung" (Wade-Giles)) meaning "perforated wood". It is also occasionally known as 通草 ("tōng cǎo" (Pinyin) or "tung tsao" (Wade-Giles)) meaning "perforated grass". In the Chinese pharmacopoeia it is believed to be therapeutic as a diuretic, antiphlogistic, galactagogue and analgesic. The principal use of the herb in China is as a traditional remedy for insufficient lactation in nursing mothers. The medicinal part of the plant is the woody stem which is sliced in transverse sections and prepared as a decoction. The stem contains approximately 30% potassium salts thus giving the diuretic action.[3]
A. quinata is listed in the National Pest Plant Accord list which identifies pest plants that are prohibited from sale, commercial propagation and distribution across New Zealand.
Gallery
female flower and 5 male flowers
in Mount Ibukifruit See also
References
- ^ a b Levy-Yamamori, Ran; Ran Levy, Gerard Taaffe (2004). Garden Plants of Japan. Timber Press. ISBN 0881926507. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=vTl40WdPNkQC&pg=PA266&dq=akebia+quinata+japan. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
- ^ "Akebia quinata". Flora of China. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200008288. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
- ^ Reid, Daniel (2001), "A Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs", Tuttle Publishing, ISBN 962-593-988-1. Retrieved on 2009-05-20.
Categories:- Akebia
- Invasive plant species
- Ranunculales stubs
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