Plant Details

Akebia trifoliata

Akebia, Threeleaf Akebia

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Common names

15 names · 11 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Akebia
  • three-leaf akebia[1]
  • Threeleaf Akebia
Other languages (10)
Dutch
  • Driebladige akebia
  • Drietallige akebia[1]
French
  • Akebia à trois feuilles
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 三叶木通[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 三葉木通[1]
  • 白木通[1]
Czech
  • akébie trojčetná[1]
Finnish
  • laaksoakebia[1]
Japanese
  • ミツバアケビ[1]
Lithuanian
  • Trilapė akebija[1]
Russian
  • Акебия трёхлисточковая[1]
Slovak
  • akébia trojlístková[1]
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.

[1] Akebia trifoliata — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Scientific name: Akebia trifoliata
Accepted name (Kew): Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Lardizabalaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Akebia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Akebia, Threeleaf Akebia

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 9.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Fruit, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
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

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 15/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    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.

  2. 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: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 4245965, ID BDYY: Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. (accepted).

    Source checked on .