RECORD OF SPONTANEOUS ACTINIDIA CHINENSIS VAR. DELICIOSA FIRST A THE UNITED FLORA (ACTINIDIACEAE) IN STATES Mason David Troy Bray H. Serviss L. Brett E. Department ofBiology State Survey Coordinator Department ofBiology Arkansas State Plant Board Henderson State University Henderson State University Arkansas 71999-0001, U.S.A. Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, U.S.A. Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71999-0001, U.SA. Arkadelphia, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] RESUMEN de Arkansas Estados Unidos. levo para la flora y los condado de Saline County ocurrid potencialmente mediante el transporte e introduccidn ;n el una depuradora. Se incluyen fotografias de Atiinidia chinensis var. deliciosa, junto con una clave n Estados Unidos. los INTRODUCTION Inihe United States non-native plant species are continuously being documented and added, both at the flora, & Wunderlin Peck 2010; regional and national levels (Whittemore 2004; Neves et al. 2009; Serviss 2009; et al. even naturalize or occasionally some these species Serviss 2011). In instances, subsequent to introduction, and with escaped populations become encounters invasive; therefore, extremely important to record first it is monitor new spontaneous occurrences of non-native species in order to evaluate their potential as invasive & non-native plant species into the species (Neves Introduction of et 2009; Yatskievych Raveill 2001). al. agronomic ornamentals or lucrative United States is often intentionally driven based on their potential as crops. A an genus consisting of about 55 Asiatic case-in-point example would be the genus Actinidia. Actinidia is China ^cies 44 which endemic) (Flora of of lianas, with center of diversity in China (52 species, of are its showy and ornamentals because of their Editorial Committee Some important as are 2007). species of Actinidia such as A. arguta, A. °ften colorful foliage and flowers, and a few species are important for their edible fruits, why were introduced into ttanensis, and A. kolomikta These represent the principle reasons Actinidia species . the US. Chinese gooseberry) the Actinidia A. Chev. (green kiwifruit, is chinensis Planch, Chev.) var. deliciosa (A. beendomes- ^tidard crop species to have kiwi fruit of commerce and represents one of the few temperate fruit when from t’cated in the The industry began in 1904 seed collected last 100 years (Ferguson kiwifruit 1999). China were New had been developed into a production brought to Zealand, and by 1970, the green kiwifruit a °P Ferguson and Bollard At present, on an annual basis, over one million metric tons of kiwifruit are 1990). New and (World Produced Zealand, Chile China, worldwide, most of which grown in four countries: Italy, is JCwifruit Review produced commercially in the United States, the and amounts are 2009), although only small kiwifruit has become (Ferguson 1999). Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa a popular commodity in this country & 35 recend (Kasperek 2004; Essl Stoehr 2006), been European countries y recorded as spontaneous in a few u not along with the popularity of its and seed surprising, based on cold hardiness viability, relative its 7* documented as a food has also been out- deliciosa in this country in Europe), that A. chinensis var. (as it is cultivation in the United States. USA the deliciosa in ir. Servissetal., NEW RECORD FOR THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES SPECIES & chinensis Planch, var. deliciosa (A. Chev.) A. Chev. (A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) Liang Ferguson) (Ac- Actinidia means Green kiwifruit is a large, deciduous liana that can climb by of twining stems to a tinidiaceae) (Fig. 1). of 10 meters or possibly more. It is native to China and Taiwan. Actinidia chinensis Planch, var. deliciosa height from other vines in the eastern United States by the combination of the dense indument distinguish easy to is young stems and reddish-brown, or whitish-tan, setose or hispid trichomes that cover the leaves, red, of large, — cm thick, robust stems, and large (at maturity up to 20 long), cordate-acuminate, pubescent, relatively new The prominently-veined leaves. The large leaves and colorful growth give the plant a tropical appearance. United States (Fig. the 2). was determined Two clusters of stems, separated by about 2-3 meters, were observed at the site, but it not whether or not each was a separate plant or a single, interconnected system of stems and roots. Both clusters of has bisexual flowers but stems were present as large, multi-trunked, reproductive-age, staminate (A. chinensis is functionally dioecious) lianas, growing on a wooded slope and up into and through the canopy to edge of and bordered by residen- woods. The immediate location of the A. chinensis var. deliciosa plant(s), while streets home areas, appears be undisturbed, with no evidence of a prior site or areas of cultivation tial to relatively which observed. However, sewer pump with associated cleanout valves is present at the site, offers a a station which were rooted in close proximity potential explanation as to route of introduction of the Actinidia plant(s), to the cleanout valves. Introduction via seed may have occurred during routine cleaning of the sewer lines, or and development resulting in the spon- possibly even during an overflow subsequent seed germination event; & A. arguta (Siebold Zucc.) In addition to A. chinensis two other species of Actinidia: 1. var. deliciosa, Maxim, have been Manch. and vine) ex Miq. (hardy kiwi, tara vine) and A. polygama (Siebold Zucc.) (silver 2. (NRCS Mitchell 2000; documented outside of cultivation in Ohio and the northeastern United States 1999; & Wilder McCombs 2002; Haines 201 See below for key to identification of these species (for a detailed treat- 1). Committee China 2007). “tont ofActinidia, including A. chinensis and its three varieties, see Flora of Editorial UNITED STATES CONTINENTAL THE SPECIES OF ACTINIDIA IN J hispid-p variously to hispid-pubescent; fruits (branchlets) densely strigose- (s glabrous 2- Pith of stems solid 2. Pith of stems lamellate (r ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Wtsincerely Commission) and one anonymous reviewer for thank Theo Witsell (Arkansas Natural Heritage toeir helpful comments We would also like to thank the Arkansas State and paper. suggestions regarding this Board work. and Department supporting this the Henderson Biology for University State references Inc 2009. World WA. U.SA Pullmam, kiwifruit review. ^0- 7 Burgenland, and Styria, part Linzer 5toeh lower Austria, t III. «- 2006. Remarkable records from Vienna, floristic “^Beitr. 38:121-163.