five-leaf akebia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• chocolate-vine
• five-leaf
• five-leaved akebia
• Five-leaf Akebia
• fiveleaf
• Chocolate Vine
• Fiveleaf Akebia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Akebia quinata f. diplochlamys
• Rajania quinata
• Akebia quinata f. albiflora
• Akebia quinata var. diplochlamys
• Akebia micrantha
• Akebia quinata var. polyphylla
• Akebia quinata f. polyphylla
• Akebia quinata f. viridiflora
• Akebia quinata var. yechi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Lardizabalaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Akebiia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions of Asia and Europe. In Eastern Asia, it can be found growing naturally within the country of Japan. Its presence in China is widespread, covering the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Additionally, the species extends its reach into Middle Europe, specifically within Austria. This broad distribution highlights the adaptability of the species across varied continental climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Akebia quinata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Its structural development and growth habit are defined by its classification as a phanerophyte, as it utilizes woody stems to elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground level. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the developmental stage of the individual, its life form can also be described as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain relatively small woody structures. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a variable pattern of deciduousness, meaning its foliage may shed or persist depending on seasonal shifts and local climatic variables.

Deciduousness :

variable

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Akebiia quinata is characterized by its growth habit as a woody, perennial vine or liana that functions as an obligatory climber. Although it displays characteristics of a shrub in its structural development, it primarily behaves as a climbing vine that can reach a maximum plant height of 12 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it grows independently of other plants, meaning it is not a parasite. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody stems, which allow it to ascend through various supports to achieve its significant vertical height.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Akebiia quinata is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and a distinct metabolic capacity regarding nutrient acquisition. The leaves of this species exhibit a standardized width, with mean, minimum, and maximum measurements all consistently recorded at 3 cm, while the leaf length reaches a maximum of 4 cm. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Akebiia quinata occurs through both sexual and asexual mechanisms, with asexual reproduction being present in the species. The sexual reproductive strategy is characterized by a monoecious nature, although the species can also exhibit dioecious or bisexual traits. The plant produces fleshy fruits that have a mean length of 8.5 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent morphological data, with a maximum, minimum, and mean seed mass of 0.0205 g. Similarly, the seed volume remains uniform across recorded observations, with a minimum, maximum, and mean volume of 21 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

8.5 cm

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass mean:

0.0205 g

Seed volume max:

21 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Akebia quinata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, stem.

Fruit

1. Carbohydrate polymers
2. Anticancer research

Stem

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Akebia quinata has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hederagenin, OLEANOLIC ACID, SAPONIN, Collinsonidin, Kalopanaxsaponin A.

Hederagenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Archives of pharmacal research
4. Journal of medicinal food

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Journal of medicinal food

SAPONIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Collinsonidin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Kalopanaxsaponin A

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of medicinal food

arabinose

1. Dr. Duke
2. Carbohydrate polymers

glucose

1. Dr. Duke
2. Carbohydrate polymers

rhamnose

1. Dr. Duke
2. Carbohydrate polymers

1-(3',4'-dihydroxycinnamoyl) cyclopentane-2,3-diol

1. Archives of pharmacal research

3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Akebia quinata has 244 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Acetylcholinergic, Acidulant.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Akebia quinata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Cancer, tumor.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations