WSU Clark County Extension
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Five-Leaf Akebia

Scientific name: Akebia quinata
Taxonomy
Family:Lardizabalaceae
Type:Vines
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 8
Sun:Partial shade
Plant Characteristics
Height:30 ft
Width:30 ft
Bloom:Fragrant flowers
Bloom Time:April to May
Bloom Color:Purple
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Gardeners enjoy the climbing features of Five-Leaf Akebia, commonly referred to as Chocolate Vine, and the interesting chocolate colored bloom.

  Morphology:
Chocolate vine is a semi-evergreen species that grows vigorously to 30 feet. The leaves are palmately compound with up to five small (1.5” -3” long) oval leaflets with smooth edges. The twining vines are green when young, turning brown with age.

Flowers are chocolate-purple in color, and first start to appear in April and extend into May. They have a mild chocolate fragrance as the name implies.

Sausage shaped fruit form in the fall and can be as large as 3” long.

  Adaptation:
This species prefers partial shade, but tolerates most soil types. It does best in sheltered locations. Provide a trellis for it to grow on. On the east Coast of the United States this is considered an invasive species.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234