Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata, Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 1: 195 (1839))

Family: Lardizabalaceae

Author: (Thunb. ex Houtt.) Decne.

Bibliography: Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 1: 195 (1839)

Year: 1839

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Akebia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. China to Japan

Description

Chocolate vine, scientifically recognized as Akebia quinata, is a versatile and captivating plant native to regions extending from central and eastern China to Japan. Descriptively housed in the Lardizabalaceae family, this floriferous vine was first documented in botanical literature in the historical volume “Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat.” in the year 1839. The nomenclature credit for this intriguing species goes to Thunb. ex Houtt., formalized by Decne.

Renowned for its ornamental allure, the chocolate vine boasts five-parted, deep green leaves that create a lush verdant display through much of the year. This distinctive foliage, combined with its intertwined, climbing growth habit, enables the plant to elegantly drape over trellises and arbors, making it a popular choice for garden enthusiasts seeking to cultivate living greenery.

In spring, Akebia quinata produces unique, small clusters of purple-brown flowers that exude a subtle, yet enchanting fragrance reminiscent of chocolate, hence the common name. These blossoms add an exotic flair to the vine’s aesthetic, enticing both pollinators and human admirers alike.

Following the flowering period, this plant yields elongated fruits resembling sausages, which, when they ripen and split open, reveal a soft, white pulp. Although the edibility of these fruits may vary depending on one’s taste preferences, the overall intrigue they add to the plant’s lifecycle is undeniable.

In cultivation, chocolate vine requires relatively modest care. It prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, adapting well to a variety of garden settings. Its robust nature and rapid growth rate also mean that it can effectively cover large areas relatively quickly, though this vigor should be managed to prevent potential invasiveness.

Given its rich cultural and botanical heritage, Akebia quinata remains a subject of interest among horticulturalists and garden architects. Embracing both its aesthetic qualities and its unique botanical attributes, the chocolate vine continues to hold a valued place in global horticulture.

Common Names

Fra: akébia, akébie à cinq feuilles
Eng: chocolate vine, chocolate-vine, five-leaf, five-leaf akebia, fiveleaf
Dan: femfingret akebia
Nld: klimbes, schijnaugurk, klimaugurk
Swe: fembladig akebia
Deu: fingerblättrige akebie
En: Chocolate vine, Five-leaf Akebia, Five-leaf, Chocolate-vine, Fiveleaf
Ar: أكيبيا كويناتا
Bg: Шоколадова лоза
Zh: 五葉木通, 木通
Da: Femfingret akebia
Nl: Klimbes, Schijnaugurk, Klimaugurk
Fi: Akebia, Rinneakebia, Kastanjaköynnös
Fr: Akébie à cinq feuilles, Akébia
De: Akebie, Fingerblättrige Akebie
Hu: Ötlevélkéjű akébia
Ko: 으름덩굴
Lt: Penkialapė akebija
Fa: مو شکلاتی
Ru: Акебия пятерная
Sr: Акебија
Sv: Fembladig akebia
Zh-tw: 五葉木通
Zh-hant: 五葉木通

Synonyms

• Rajania quinata (Thunb. ex Houtt.)
• Akebia quinata f. diplochlamys ((Makino) T.Shimizu)
• Akebia quinata var. yechi (W.C.Cheng)
• Akebia micrantha (Nakai)
• Akebia quinata var. diplochlamys (Makino)
• Akebia quinata var. polyphylla (Nakai)
• Akebia quinata f. polyphylla ((Nakai) Hiyama)
• Akebia quinata f. viridiflora (Makino)
• Akebia quinata f. albiflora (Y.N.Lee)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2021 by Lady Amanzia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2017 by Reinier Feijen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2017 by Reinier Feijen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Kelsey Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2019 by gatto gatto (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Sally Stocker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Lieven Golvers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2020 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2020 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 10, 2020 by Ni Mie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Pavel Dolanský (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Marras Roberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Dani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Steffen Hinderberger (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 31, 2013 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ondřej Zicha (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 8, 2015 by EOL − harum.koh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Vieira do Nascimento Paulo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2017 by hana collect (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2019 by Marieke Wiersma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by Ashuni Rae Pfuzhe (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2020 by Ian McCulloch (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 13, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by zmei (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Zeynep Mutlu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Ulysse Remars (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033965)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:106376-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine

Growth