chocolate vine	USDA PLANTS Symbol: AKQU U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Vines
Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Dcne.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Ranunculales: Lardizabalaceae
Synonym(s): fiveleaf akebia
Native Range: China, Japan and Korea (REHD, BAIL);
Chocolate vine, also called fiveleaf akebia, is a deciduous to evergreen climbing or trailing vine that invades forested areas throughout the eastern United States. The twining vines are green when young, turning brown with age. The leaves are palmately compound with up to five, 1 ½ to 3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long, oval leaflets. Flowering occurs in the mid-spring, when small, purple to red, fragrant flowers develop. Fruit are purple seed pods that contain white pulp and small black seeds. Fruits are rarely produced. Chocolate vine is shade tolerant and invades forested habitats. The dense mat of vines formed can displace native understory species. It can also climb into, smother, and kill small trees and shrubs. Chocolate vine is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States in 1845 as an ornamental.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Infestation; Shep Zedaker, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); In May Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); immature fruit James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); immature James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Seed pods In May James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; dormant season Shep Zedaker, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; Shep Zedaker, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org