« Passion Fruit - passiflora edulis | Home | Pistachio Nut Tree - Pistacia vera L. »
Kiwi Fruit - actinidia deliciosa
By goodadmin | July 30, 2007
by steve stamos
The kiwifruit or species Actinidia deliciosa is a fruit producing woody vine (not a tree) of the genus Actinidia. Its birth place is 
most temperate climates with adequate summer heat. Vines require heavy pruning and fruit is borne on one-year or older canes, but production declines as each cane ages. Canes should be pruned off and replaced after their third year. The plant needs a long growing season of frost-free days. The leaves of the kiwi vine are large, deep green, leathery, oval and 15 to 25 cm in diameter. Young leaves are coated with red hairs, while mature leaves are hairless on the upper surface. The flowering period extends over several weeks. Flowers are large, 3 to 5 cm in diameter, colored cream-white and lightly fragrant.
The most common shape of the fruit is oval, about 5-8 cm long and 4.5-5.5 cm diameter. It has a fibrous, green-brown skin outside and a bright green or golden flesh with ray like rows of small, black, edible seeds, a soft fleshy texture and a resembling that of a mixed fruit salad. A new cultivar Actinidia chinensis or Gold Kiwifruit has yellow flesh it is sweeter, less acidic flavor of tropical fruit salad.
Kiwifruit can be eaten whole, including the skin or cut in half and scoop out the flesh or peeled and sliced. Kiwifruit is a rich source of vitamin C, potassium; slightly less than that of a banana. Also contains vitamins A and E, high level of dietary fiber and antioxidants. It is also rich in the protein-dissolving enzyme actinidin which makes raw kiwifruit unsuitable for use in or dairy or desserts containing milk products.
Kiwi
Trees2grow
all about fruit and nut bearing trees
Topics: Fruit Trees |
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.