Kadsura coccinea

Kadsura / black tiger fruit (Kadsura coccinea)
Kadsura leaves and fruit.
Scientific name	Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A.C.Sm.
Genus	Kadsura
Family	Schisandraceae
Order	Austrobaileyales
Growth form	Evergreen woody climber
Native range	Southern China to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam
Native biome	Subtropical forests, ravines, and hillside shrubland
Mature height	N/A; climbing stems require support
Soil	Moderately fertile, moist but well drained, neutral to acidic
Flowers	Unisexual; plants may be monoecious or dioecious
Fruit	Red to dark-purple aggregate, often 6 to 10 cm across
Propagation	Fresh seed, semi-ripe cuttings, layering
Harvest	Commonly July to November in native-range reports

Kadsura coccinea, commonly called black tiger fruit or Kadsura vine, is an evergreen woody climber in the genus Kadsura, family Schisandraceae, and order Austrobaileyales. It is native to subtropical parts of southern China and Indochina and is harvested locally for its large red to purple aggregate fruit.^[1][2]

Description

The plant has twining, woody stems and evergreen leaves. It grows as a forest climber, using surrounding vegetation or a trellis for support. Plants may be monoecious or dioecious, so fruit production can require both male and female plants when a dioecious population is being grown.^[1]

Kadsura vine and foliage.

The fruit is an unusually large aggregate made from many individual carpels. It is nearly spherical, red to purplish red or dark purple at maturity, and may reach 6 to 10 cm or more across. Individual fruit units remain visible across the surface, giving the ripe fruit a distinctive clustered appearance. The pulp is reported as sweet, but flavor and texture can vary among plants.^[1][3]

Climate and site

The accepted range extends from southern China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It occurs in hillside slopes, ravines, semi-open shrubland, and forest, usually from about 400 to 1,400 m, with records from roughly 200 to 1,900 m. Plants of the World Online places it primarily in the subtropical biome.^[1]

Provide a sheltered position with partial shade or filtered sun, especially while young. The native habitat suggests a moist growing season and good atmospheric humidity, but the root zone should still drain freely. Use moderately fertile soil with a neutral to acidic reaction. A trellis, pergola, or strong tree support is necessary for reliable growth and access to fruit.^[1]

Propagation

Sow fresh seed in a shaded nursery bed and keep it evenly moist. Semi-ripe cuttings and layering are also reported. A Chinese propagation patent describes annual semi-ripe cuttings rooted in a sand, vermiculite, and plant-ash medium after rooting-agent treatment; that protocol is a specialized trial rather than a universal cultivar recommendation.^[1][4]

Flowering, fruiting and harvest

Flowering is reported from approximately April or May through July, with fruit development extending into autumn. The Flora of China treatment records red to purplish-red fruit and a fruiting period commonly extending from October to December; other sources report July to November. Use the local flowering and color change rather than a fixed calendar as the harvest guide.^[2][3]

If plants are dioecious, maintain a compatible male near female plants. Fruit should be allowed to color fully before harvest. Exact days from flowering to ripe fruit: N/A.

Fruit and uses

Kadsura fruit.

The ripe aggregate fruit is eaten raw or cooked and is locally valued as a food. The species is also used in traditional medicine, especially roots and stems, but medicinal claims should not be treated as cultivation or safety guidance. The fruit's size and vivid color make it a notable specimen for subtropical fruit collections.^[1]

Pests and diseases

N/A

Cultivars and selections

Named cultivars and reliable clonal performance data: N/A. Record sex, flowering date, fruit size, color, and flavor for each plant because sex expression and fruit traits may differ among introductions.

Container growing

Use a deep container with an acidic, moisture-retentive but well-drained mix and install a trellis before the vine becomes large. Give bright filtered light, protect from drying wind, and avoid stagnant water. A container-grown plant may need hand pollination if flowers are produced on only one plant.

Zone pushing

• Protect the vine from hard frost and drying winter winds.
• Provide partial shade in hot, dry climates and stronger light in cool, humid climates.
• Grow male and female plants together unless the individual is known to be monoecious.
• Keep a seasonal record of flower sex, pollination, fruit color, and winter damage.

References

1. ↑ Useful Tropical Plants: Kadsura coccinea. Range, habitat, habit, fruit, cultivation, sex expression, edible uses, and propagation.
2. ↑ Plants of the World Online: Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A.C.Sm.. Accepted name, range, life form, and biome.
3. ↑ Kadsura coccinea: A rich source of structurally diverse and biologically important lignans and triterpenoids. Flowering, fruiting, and aggregate-fruit description.
4. ↑ CN105409547A: Cutting propagation method for Kadsura coccinea. Specialized semi-ripe cutting protocol.

Image credits

• Summary: leaves and fruits.
• Description: plant and foliage.
• Fruit and uses: fruit.
• Photos: fruit product.

Photos

Kadsura fruit product.