Akebia trifoliata
Akebia, Threeleaf Akebia
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Akebia trifoliata.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
Leaves of Akebia trifoliata.
小石川人晃 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Akebia trifoliata leaves (at Mt. Yamizo, Ibaraki, Japan).jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Developing fruit of Akebia trifoliata.
小石川人晃 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Unripe fruits of Akebia trifoliata (at Mt. Yamizo, Ibaraki, Japan).jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
15 names · 11 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Akebia
- three-leaf akebia[1]
- Threeleaf Akebia
Other languages (10)
Sources & name notes (1)
Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.
Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.
Source records
- three-leaf akebia — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- ミツバアケビ — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- akébie trojčetná — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- 三叶木通 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- 白木通 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- Trilapė akebija — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- Акебия трёхлисточковая — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- Drietallige akebia — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- laaksoakebia — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- 三葉木通 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
- akébia trojlístková — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 367374; Akebia trifoliata.
General information
Kew's family placement for the genus Akebia (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Uses
Leaves, Fruit, Tea
Fragrant, Wickerwork
Description
Raw fruit - sweet but not strong in flavor. The fruit has a subtle taste and a soft, juicy texture. Sometimes lemon juice is added to enhance the flavor of the fruit. The bitter skin of the fruit can be cooked and eaten. The fruit is 5 - 10 cm long and can grow up to 4 m wide. Soft young shoots can be used in salads or pickled. The leaves serve as a substitute for coffee.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 460927; name ID 517391; Akebia Decne.. Family column.
- Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1301745; name ID 517421; Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz..
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.
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Catalogue of Life
Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Akebia trifoliata
Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.
Supports: TaxonomyRelevant sections
- Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 4245965, ID BDYY: Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. (accepted).
Source checked on .