13149 Akebia quinata – Chocolate Vine

Description

This tropical, woody climbing plant grows for a long time, looks good, and smells pleasant. Its violet-brown (female) and pink (male) flowers have an appetizing scent of cocoa and chocolate, respectively, which led to the plant’s name. It climbs several meters per year. Older plants can grow 5-10 meters per year. In summer, 10 cm long fruits develop, which turn blue-violet when ripe. They are edible and sweet. The Akebia is native to East Asia.