Actinidia latifolia

Actinidia latifolia is a deciduous vine in the Actinidiaceae family. Its native range runs from southern China to western Malesia. It grows in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sumatra. Wild plants climb trees on slopes and in valleys. They also grow in thickets and forests. In China, records place it at 1,312–5,577 feet [400–1,700 metres]. In Malaysia, it occurs in hill forests but is rather rare.

This climbing shrub makes one or more branched stems. These trail across the ground or coil around nearby branches. Garden references give a height of about 23 feet [7 metres]. Botanical accounts describe stems of 16–30 feet [5–9 metres]. Some stems reach 66 feet [20 metres]. Stem length is not the same as upright height. The plant sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. Its climbing habit makes nearby plants a source of support.

Plants For A Future gives May to June as flowering time. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. A lone plant cannot fertilise itself. Both sexes must grow together to produce seed. Seeds ripen from October to November, according to that source. The ripe fruit has brown skin without hairs. Each fruit measures about 0.10–0.13 feet [0.03–0.04 metres] long. It holds many small seeds, which can be eaten with it.

The species grows across warm temperate and subtropical regions. In tropical areas, it occurs at higher elevations. Useful Tropical Plants reports that dormant plants tolerate some frost. New spring shoots are much more prone to frost damage. Plants For A Future calls it frost tender. Its survival outdoors in Britain remains uncertain. That source lists sun or partial shade and moist soil. It also lists sandy, loamy and clay soils as suitable. The stated soil pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline.

People gather the fruit from wild plants for local food. They eat it fresh or cook it. Plants For A Future places this climber at woodland edges and in dappled shade. Neither food use nor a lack of reported hazards proves universal safety. Both plant-use sources report no known hazards. Plants For A Future records no medicinal or other uses. Its propagation notes warn that seedlings can suffer damping off.