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Actinidia (Kiwifruit genus)
Life
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Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants)
> Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Order: Ericales > Family: Actinidiaceae
Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Order: Ericales
There are about 94 recorded species of Actinidia of
which the following are cultivated for their fruit:
Species indigenous to southern Africa
| Actinidia
deliciosa (Kiwifruit) Indigenous to the
hills of southwestern China. Kiwifruit only came under cultivation in the
20th Century. Although it is indigenous to China, it was New Zealand that pioneered
its cultivation. Actinidia deliciosa was previously considered a
synonym of Actinidia chinensis. |
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| Actinidia
chinensis Similar to Actinidia deliciosa but
it has smaller, more rounded fruit and soft fur. Its indigenous distribution
is in the low-lying southeatern region of China.
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| Actinidia arguta (Hardy Kiwi, Arguta, Baby Kiwi
or Grape Kiwi) Plants are able to withstand colder temperatures than those
of A. chinensis. Skins are green and smooth and can be eaten; fruit
are smaller than those of Kiwi Fruit. |
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| Actinidia kolomikta (Kolomicta or Arctic
Beauty) |
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| Actinidia polygama (Silver Vine) |
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Links
References
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Sauer, J.D. 1993. Historical geography of
crop plants - a select roster. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
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van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World -
Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.
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