Red Kiwi (Actinidia melanandra)

Family: Actinidiaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Actinidia melanandra is a deciduous Climber growing to 7 m (23ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The globose fruit is hairless when fully ripe and up to 45mm long. It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The globose fruit is hairless when fully ripe and up to 45mm long.; It contains a number of small seeds, but these are easily eaten with the fruit.

Habitat & North American Range

Thickets around 1800 metres in W. Hupeh, Szechwan and N. Yunnan. Broad-leaved forests, mountain forests and moist places at elevations of 1000 - 1600 metres. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)