Saturday, June 15, 2019

Actinidia Kolomikta

Actinidia kolomikta grows in my garden many years, since a neighbor brought me a dry bush with the words: “I’m tired of it, it doesn’t grow and bloom. And the woman left Actinidia near my gate.
 

I had read that the kolomikta vine blooms in May - June with small flowers; their aroma is similar to lily of the valley. During flowering, leaves acquire a pink-white color.


Years passed and I learned that Actinidia kolomikta are relic plants preserved in East Asia since the Tertiary period, when the sub-tropical climate was in the Far East Asia. Later, due to the glaciation of the Northern Hemisphere, climatic conditions became more severe. However, glaciation did not affect some areas of the Far East, but adversely affected the climate. Due to the cooling, a large amount of the Tertiary flora of the Far East disappeared and only a few, including Actinidia, adapted to the changed conditions and survived to the present day.
Here are the photos that I took in August-18 when the light green fruit appeared on the branches, they were small, up to 2 cm long, edible. If some of these fruit remain on the liana until October, they become yellow green and wrinkled.




Generally I try to pick up Actinidia kolomikta berries until they fall off because the berries are perfectly ripe at home. They are tasty and look like small New Zealand kiwi, because Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward' are of the same genus. 
Do you know or grow this liana? Have you ever eaten this fruit?

30 comments:

  1. Надежда,у меня актинидии нет. Но есть у моей знакомой на даче.У нее и угощалась этими прекрасными плодами.

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    1. Да, мне тоже нравятся "киви", Надежда. Их можно собирать недозрелыми, они дома доходят.

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  2. Interesting comments on the origins and history of this plant, Nadezda. The leaves are very attractive and I can only imagine how splendid it looks when fully leafed out. I suspect that you are quite happy that your neighbour tired of the plant and left it for you to enjoy.

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    1. Yes, I am David. Nice flowers, leaves and fruit!

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  3. We grow kiwi Issai which is similar

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  4. They are so beautiful, Nadezda! I have the same plant here. Cats are very fond of it too. Kiwi is a near relative to this plant.
    Have a nice new week ahead.

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    1. Glad you know and grow Actinidia, Marit. I didn't noticed neighbor's cat near my Actinidia :-)

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  5. Las flores son parecidas a la de los Kiwi. Besitos.

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  6. I enjoyed reading about the Actinidia kolomikta plant. I have never tried its fruit, but it sounds amazing! The plant itself is pretty too. Thank you for teaching me something new!

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  7. That's a really beautiful plant! I've never seen it before !
    Greetings

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  8. What a beautiful plant to have, I haven`t heard of it before.

    Hugs, Ida.

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    1. Jda, this plant isn't popular, but it produce tasty fruit.

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  9. What a curious plant, Nadezda. Had never seen its fruit.
    Hugs!

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    1. Tania, this plant is from Northern areas of Europe and Asia, therefore you have not seen it in Galicia.

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  10. No la conocía Nadezda, hoy la veo por primera vez. Tampoco la he probado.
    Te deseo un buen fin de semana.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Laura, estoy segura de que probaste el Kiwi de Nueva Zelanda. Estos son de gusto similar, pero son más pequeños.

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  11. Well, it seems your neighbour was leaving her poor plant in good hands! you must have such a great local reputation when people see your garden. I am ashamed to say I have never heard of Actinidia kolomikta before, nor have I to my knowledge tasted the berries. I don't even know where to look out for it, as I have not seen fruits like this for sale anywhere. It is surprising because it really looks like a plant that "has everything"!

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    1. The NZ kiwi-fruit are often sale in your nearest supermarket, Jenny and I'm sure you have eaten them. The Actinidia kolomikta fruit have the same taste but they are smaller.

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    2. They don't look like the kiwi fruits I know, which are have slightly furry skins of dark green...but I admit I have never seen them half grown.

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  12. Esta precioso y las fotos geniales, Nadezda yo tengo uno y aunque da alguna flo, no consigo que cuajen los frutos. Besos.

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    1. La fruta es agridulce, me gustan. Parecen al kiwi.
      besos!

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  13. Such a nice looking plant, I enjoyed seeing your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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