Akebia trifoliata

Akebia trifoliata also known as chocolate vine, three leaf chocolate vine or three leaf akebia,[1] is a relative of the more commonly known Akebia quinata

Akebia trifoliata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Lardizabalaceae
Genus: Akebia
Species:
A. trifoliata
Binomial name
Akebia trifoliata
(Thunb.) Koidz

Description

Akebia trifoliata is a climbing vine with leaves composed of three ovate, slightly lobed leaflets, often bronze-tinted when young. It grows up to 9.1 m (30 ft) long.[2] in mild winters loses its leaves in cold climates, but the twining woody branches are handsome even when bare. Flowers are deep purple in short racemes and followed by light purple fruits.[3]

Like Akebia quinata, it grows in USDA hardiness zones from 5a to 9b: from −20 °F (−28.9 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).[4]

The smaller oblong fruit of A. trifoliata
Akebia trifoliata foliage with its iconic chocolate-colored flowers

Uses

Culinary uses

The plant is grown for its ornamental appeal but also for the edible oblong purplish fruits.[5] The fruit itself has a mild flavor reminiscent of coconut or tapioca and is considered quite sweet[6] It has a mild melon flavor when eaten ripe [7]

Medicinal uses

It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with urinary tract infections and "quickening blood flow."[8]

Extracts of the fruits have been shown to have diuretic properties (reduction of water-weight) hepato-regenerative, neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. It has been shown to help with weight loss in-vitro and reduction of fat deposition.[9]

The rind, though inedible, has been found to contain a high concentration of cancer fighting antioxidants which can be extracted by making a tea out of the rind.[10]

Akebia trifoliata also has been used to create an "antibacterial pectin" from its waste products which may increase the profitability of the plant when grown commercially.[11]

  • Fruit of Akebia trifoliata with hand for scale
    Fruit of Akebia trifoliata with hand for scale
  • Botanical illustration of Akebia trifoliata
    Botanical illustration of Akebia trifoliata

References
  1. "Akebia trifoliata | three-leaf akebia Climber Wall Shrub/RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  2. WoFP (2018-05-11). "Akebia trifoliata (Three-leaf Akebia)". World of Flowering Plants. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  3. WoFP (2018-05-11). "Akebia trifoliata (Three-leaf Akebia)". World of Flowering Plants. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  4. WoFP (2018-05-11). "Akebia trifoliata (Three-leaf Akebia)". World of Flowering Plants. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  5. "Akebia | plant genus | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  6. "Akebia trifoliata | three-leaf akebia Climber Wall Shrub/RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  7. Christenhusz, Maarten J. M.; Rix, Martyn (September 2012). "739. Akebia Quinata". Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 29 (3): 284–289. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8748.2012.01792.x. ISSN 1355-4905.
  8. Zhou, Jiaju; Xie, Guirong; Yan, Xinjian (2011-02-21). Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines - Molecular Structures, Pharmacological Activities, Natural Sources and Applications: Vol. 5: Isolated Compounds T—Z, References, TCM Plants and Congeners. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-3-642-16741-6.
  9. Maciąg, Daria; Dobrowolska, Ewa; Sharafan, Marta; Ekiert, Halina; Tomczyk, Michał; Szopa, Agnieszka (2021-11-15). "Akebia quinata and Akebia trifoliata - a review of phytochemical composition, ethnopharmacological approaches and biological studies". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 280: 114486. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114486. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 34352331.
  10. Luo, Min; Zhou, Dan-Dan; Shang, Ao; Gan, Ren-You; Li, Hua-Bin (June 2021). "Influences of Microwave-Assisted Extraction Parameters on Antioxidant Activity of the Extract from Akebia trifoliata Peels". Foods. 10 (6): 1432. doi:10.3390/foods10061432. ISSN 2304-8158. PMC 8234544. PMID 34205582.
  11. Yu, Ningxiang; Wang, Xiaoya; Ning, Fangjian; Jiang, Chengjia; Li, Yanbin; Peng, Hailong; Xiong, Hua (2019-08-01). "Development of antibacterial pectin from Akebia trifoliata var. australis waste for accelerated wound healing". Carbohydrate Polymers. 217: 58–68. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.03.071. ISSN 0144-8617. PMID 31079685. S2CID 109666326.
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