Five-leaf akebia
ExplorePlants
Five-leaf akebia
Akebia quinata
The Five-leaf Akebia is a climbing plant with beautiful purple flowers. Its leaves have five leaflets, making it look special and unique in gardens and forests.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Five-leaf akebia is a vigorous climbing vine with distinctive palmate leaves, each divided into five oval leaflets. Its small, purplish-brown flowers hang in clusters, often hidden by the foliage, and are followed by unique sausage-shaped, lavender-purple fruits.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyLardizabalaceaeGenusAkebia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
3
Interesting facts
Even its tough, flexible stems were used to make traditional sandals!
Its unusual fruit can split open when ripe, revealing edible, jelly-like pulp!
Japanese farmers once used akebia vines to weave strong, durable baskets!
The young shoots are sometimes stir-fried in Japan, tasting like asparagus!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Climber
The Five-leaf akebia can rapidly twine its stems around supports, helping it quickly reach sunlight and outcompete other plants.
Ability
Edible Delight
Akebia produces unique, sweet fruit that attracts animals, helping spread its seeds far and wide for reproduction.
Ability
Drought Endurance
This plant has robust roots that can store water and nutrients, helping it survive periods of drought effectively.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 300-1000 cm
- Flowe Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers.
eats
Humans
Homo sapiens
Consumes its sweet, edible fruit.
eaten by
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos
May eat ripe fruit, aiding seed dispersal.
Traits
Climbing/Vine
Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or tasting plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Five-leaf akebia?
The easiest way to identify Five-leaf akebia is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Five-leaf akebia?
300-1000 cm
How big are the flowers on Five-leaf akebia?
2-3 cm
When does Five-leaf akebia bloom?
Spring
Is Five-leaf akebia edible?
Yes
Is Five-leaf akebia toxic?
None
What is Five-leaf akebia's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Five-leaf akebia pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
May 23, 2023
Linwoodi
Photo attribution
(c) Judy Dobles, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park41 sightings50 species
Georgia, US
Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Domestic Cat, and American Robin.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Connecticut, US
Bush Hill Historic District
You might spot American Toad, Wood Frog, and Mountain Laurel.
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Park20 sightings12 species
New York, US
Linwood
You might spot Green Frog, American White Waterlily, and American Toad.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Georgia, US
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Domestic Cat, and American Robin.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Georgia, US
Mozley Park Historic District
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Domestic Cat, and American Robin.
View guide →
Park47 sightings9 species
Pennsylvania, US
Spring Mill Park
You might spot Paulownia, Asian Lady Beetle, and Spotted Lanternfly.
View guide →
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