Actinidia tetramera (四萼猕猴桃 si e mi hou tao) is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Actinidiaceae, that is native to Central China. It is a vigorous climber that can reach 8 m (26 ft) tall and broad. The ovate leaves are dark green with bright white flashes on the surface. The species is dioecious, meaning that male and female plants are separate. Fruit is only borne on a fertilised female plant.

Actinidia tetramera
Actinidia tetramera var. maloides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Actinidiaceae
Genus: Actinidia
Species:
A. tetramera
Binomial name
Actinidia tetramera

This plant is valued in cultivation for its ornamental qualities. It prefers a sheltered spot in sun or partial shade. In the UK, the variety A. tetramera var. maloides has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2][3]

Varieties

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  • Actinidia tetramera var. badongensis[4]
  • Actinidia tetramera var. maloides
  • Actinidia tetramera var. tetramera

References

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  1. ^ "Actinidia tetramera". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  2. ^ "Actinidia tetramera var. maloides". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  3. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. November 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Actinidia tetramera Maxim.". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.