How to identify Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
Hardy kiwi, also known as Baby kiwi, Dessert kiwi, Bower actinidia, Siberian gooseberry, Kolomikta Vine, Bower vine, Kiwi Vine, Kiwino
Hardy kiwi is a perennial climbing vine known for its edible qualities. It stands out with its woody stems that enable it to ascend along structures. This plant exhibits a dioecious nature, meaning it has separate male and female plants, with only the females bearing fruit after pollination. The leaves cloak inconspicuous buds, nestled within this year's growth, which unfold into flowers and subsequent fruits. The twining growth habit and leaf arrangement provide cues for identification.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Vine
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Dioecious nature with separate male and female plants.
Leaves reach up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length, dark green with serrated margins.
Fruit is a fleshy true berry, 0.75-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) in diameter, with bright green flesh.
Flowers are small, 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) in diameter, fragrant with thin white petals.
Trunk is slender with smooth, thin bark, brown with slight mottled pattern.
The leaves of hardy kiwi are dark green, reaching up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length. They are arranged alternately on the stem and have an oval to heart-like shape with a pointed tip. The leaf margins are finely serrated. The texture is smooth, with a glossy surface that provides a rich sheen under sunlight. Veins are prominently visible, radiating from the central vein towards the edges. These features aid in distinguishing hardy kiwi's foliage from similar plants.
The flowers of hardy kiwi are small, typically around 0.5-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) in diameter. They exhibit delicate, thin petals that are usually white or pale green. The flowers are fragrant, with a sweet, pleasant scent, and are arranged either singly or in clusters. Blooming occurs in late spring to early summer, providing a brief but beautiful display. Each flower has a central cluster of stamens, enhancing its ornamental appeal.
The fruit of hardy kiwi is a fleshy, true berry with a size akin to a grape or small plum, ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 inches (2 to 4 cm) in diameter. The skin, often smooth and thin, varies in color from green to brownish-purple at maturity. The succulent interior houses numerous small, edible seeds, and the berry's flesh is typically bright green. Unique to hardy kiwi's fruit is its exterior, sometimes bearing a fine, fuzzy texture, less pronounced than on its larger relative. This fruit is often enjoyed both fresh and in processed forms.
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Scientific Classification of Hardy kiwi
