Actinidia callosa

Actinidia callosa is a deciduous vine in the Actinidiaceae family. Kew places its native range from the Himalayas to Yunnan, northern Indo-China and Taiwan. Other accounts report a wider range across southern China and Southeast Asia. It grows in woods, thickets, valleys and along streams. It also grows on slopes and at woodland edges. These sites often have moist soil.

Garden accounts give a height of about 30 feet [9 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants also reports stems reaching 98 feet [30 metres]. These long stems can spread across the ground. They climb by winding around branches of nearby plants. The plant loses its leaves for part of the year. Growers value it both as an ornamental vine and for fruit. A sheltered woodland edge or wall suits its climbing form.

Flowers appear from June to July, according to Plants For A Future. Bees and other insects pollinate them. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The species cannot fertilise itself, so seed production needs both sexes. Seeds ripen from October to November. Ripe fruit has a grey-green skin and many small seeds. The fruit measures about 0.06–0.16 feet [0.018–0.05 metres] long. Its flavour is mild but tart. People eat it fresh, cook it or dry it. The small seeds can be eaten with the flesh.

This vine prefers moist, loamy soil with a neutral pH. It also tolerates sandy and clay soils. It accepts mildly acid through mildly alkaline conditions. It grows in partial shade, but full sun helps fruit production. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. Yet it warns that much of Britain is too cold. Older growth tolerates some frost, while fresh spring shoots can suffer damage. Shelter therefore matters where late frosts occur.

Fruit grows on second-year stems and spurs on older wood. Winter is the stated season for pruning. Growers can raise plants from seed, though germination may take months. Young seedlings need protection through their first winter. Damping off can affect seedlings, according to Plants For A Future. The sources report no known hazards, but provide no detailed safety assessment. They list no medicinal use. The wood is porous, though the evidence gives no specific use for it.