This vine has been in the ground for a few years now and has been blooming in the early spring. Today I noticed a fruit was forming on the vine. They are edible and can be fried or cooked with meat. The fruits are nowhere close to ripe but glad to see a fruit forming.
I had these fruits form one year in the past. But I had to rebuild my deck at the time and tear down the vines. So I never got to see it ripen. This time I hope to see it throughout the ripening process.
I am confused on how it formed as I thought two Akebia vines of different types (White flower plus + Purple flower) are needed to produce fruit. Which I actually planted some Shirobana Akebias that are white flowered. But they have not bloomed yet as I just planted them this year. So I have no idea how this fruit formed.
The plant has taken over one of the decks support beams. I moved it there as it was not in the way of the deck being rebuilt. It consistantly tries to climb and I keep pulling down the growth so it does not get up on the deck.
A few times a year I have to cut it back or pull down vines trying to get up towards the sunlight between the deck boards.
The two young Shirobana Akebias I planted are growing. They seem to have gotten used to the ground I planted them in and are now forming vines to grow upwards to try to get to more sunlight.
Looking forward to them flowering if all goes well in their growth over the next few years. Maybe then I can get multiple fruit with the help of my Mason Bees. They happen to flower the same time of year the Solitary Bees are foraging.
The vines can be cut and used for cordage as well. But I think I'll just try the fruit when it's ready. Even if it's a mystery how it formed without another flowering Akebia vine near by.