Actinidia arguta

Hardy kiwi

Actinidia arguta, commonly known as hardy kiwi or kiwi berry, is a vigorous climbing vine native to East Asia. Unlike its larger relatives, it produces small, grape-sized fruits with edible skins. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, this resilient plant offers significant nutritional benefits and versatile culinary applications.

  • Scientific name: Actinidia arguta
  • Family: Actinidiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Actinidia arguta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ericales. Finally, it is a member of the family Actinidiaceae and the genus Actinidia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ericales WCVP
Family Actinidiaceae WCVP
Genus Actinidia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Actinidia argupta, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 软枣猕猴桃 (zh-hans), 軟棗獼猴桃 (zh-hant), and 軟棗獼猴桃 (zh-hk). In Poland, the species is known as aktinidia ostrolistna (pl), while in Russia, it is called Актинидия острая (ru).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 软枣猕猴桃 Wikidata
zh-hant 軟棗獼猴桃 Wikidata
zh-hk 軟棗獼猴桃 Wikidata
pl aktinidia ostrolistna Wikidata
ru Актинидия острая Wikidata
fr Kiwaï Wikidata
ko 다래나무 Wikidata
fi japaninlaikkuköynnös Wikidata
hu kopasz kivi Wikidata
de Scharfzähniger Strahlengriffel Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within Austria. Moving toward the east, it is found across various parts of the Russian Far East, including the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, and Primorye. Additionally, the species extends its range into Central Asia, where it grows in Uzbekistan. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit varied environments across the continent.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Russian Far East Kuril Is. WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
Central Asia Uzbekistan WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as hardy kiwi, is a perennial woody climber characterized by several distinct morphological features. Its climbing stems are flexible and vigorous, often utilizing tendrils to ascend through surrounding vegetation. Beneath the soil, a robust system of roots provides necessary anchorage and nutrient absorption to support its sprawling growth. The plant features broad, simple, and heart-shaped leaves that are densely arranged along the vines, playing a crucial role in photosynthesis. Finally, it produces edible, small, oval-shaped fruits that are covered in a fine fuzz, containing the concentrated medicinal and nutritional properties for which the species is valued.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stems 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Actinidia arguta has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
(+)-catechin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(-)-epicatechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Actinidia arguta has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Actinidia arguta has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colorectal cancer.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
colorectal cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆