17. Actinidia chinensis, 'Hayward', Fuzzy Kiwi

 

Actinidia chinensis, 'Hayward', Fuzzy Kiwi

Catalpa heart-shaped (cordate) leaves in opposite arrangement

 

17. ‘Hayward Fuzzy’ Kiwi, Actinidia deliciosa

Artist’s Note:

Twisted old vines of male and female kiwi cover the arbor over the fountain at LBH&G. Luther Burbank was one of the first plant developers to work with the kiwi. Once know as the Chinese gooseberry, its name was changed to kiwifruit in the 1950’s becoming a fruit named after a bird, the New Zealand kiwi. 

In spring an abundance of flowers bloom on both the male and female plants, with the kiwiberries forming on the female vines in clusters. Needing a long warm growing season, Santa Rosa is ideal for kiwi. The fruit is best left to ripen on the vine and harvested late in fall once cold temperatures arrive. Last year these vines produced over 300 pounds of fruit. As LBH&G likes to share its bounty with the community, 250 pounds of fruit were used to make a limited-edition beer and 50 pounds were given away to the public.

 

Vulgo: ‘Hayward’ Fuzzy Kiwi

 

Name: Actinidia deliciosa

 

Family: Actinidiaceae

Habit: Vine

Height: 40 ft (12 M)

Native to: China

 

Leaf type: Simple

 

Shape: Cordate

 

Tip: Appears to have 2 types—mucronulate and retuse

 

Margin: Entire

 

Venation: Pinnate

 

Surface: Hair is present

 

Size: 3–6 in (8–16 cm) 

 

Arrangement: Alternate

Pen and ink: Amber R Turner © 2020