| 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 |
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| 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. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stem(s); 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 |
 Fruit(s); immature James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); immature fruit James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; 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 |
 Infestation; dormant season Shep Zedaker, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, 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 |
 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
| Native Alternatives: | |
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Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) Clematis texensis (scarlet leather flower) Clematis viorna (vasevine) Decumaria barbara (woodvamp) Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) |  More Information on Native Plants at: www.beplantwise.org PlantWise is a partnership between the National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Garden Club of America and The National Invasive Species Council to prevent harmful invasive plants from invading natural areas. |
