Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Chocoladewingerd, Schijnaugurk, Chocolate vine, Fagi-kadsuri-akebi, Mutong (木通)

Family: Lardizabalaceae (Lardizabala family)

Distribution: China, Korea, Japan

Black list: Unknown risk alien

Hardiness: Zone 05

Life form: Climber

Comments: This vine is native to China, Korea and Japan, but has naturalised in the south-eastern US. Akebia is derived from the Japanese name, Fagi-kadsuri-akebi. Quinata refers to the compound leaves that often have five leaflets; together, the leaflets seem to have the shape of a hand. The flowers are either male or female, stand together in pendent inflorescences and smell pleasantly of vanilla. The flowers appear early in spring, and are purple-red to chocolate-coloured. The elongated, fleshy, dark red fruits are edible.