Akebia quinata

Photo Credit: 
Laurent Houmeau via Easyscape CC

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), also known as five-leaf chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia, is a vigorous, invasive perennial vine. Originally from eastern Asia, it was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in 1845. This invasive can grow up to 40 feet in a single season, is shade-tolerant, and forms dense mats that kill native understory plants and prevents native seeds from germinating and growing. The vines also climb small trees and shrubs, smothering them. (Katy Gardener, Brandywine Conservancy - link below) Primarily in SE New York, it is spreading to the Finger Lakes region.

Plant Information

Common Name(s): 
chocolate vine
Type: 
Non-Native
Vines
Native Region: 
Asia
Invasive Level: 
Invasive in Finger Lakes
Moisture: 
Dry
Moist
Light: 
Sun
Part Sun
Part Shade

Plant finder

After you start typing part of a plant scientific or common name, wait a few seconds and a clickable list will appear.
Advanced Search