Chocolate vine(Akebia quinata) is native to the Korea, Japan area. Remember that the 38th parallel is the neutral zone across Korea and runs just south of Rolandvue in this hemisphere,so similar environment. It has become naturalized along the east coast of the U.S. Like other vines it has some positives: an edible podlike fruit, the rind used in cooking and the vine in basketry. But it can also become invasive growing to thirty feet heights. The five leaflets are characteristic(quinata). This photo is from the south side of Wagner near the ginko trees. It is growing over the fence.
The flowers, in the early spring are said to have a chocolate smell. We are watching for the fruits but apparently vines are sparsely productive.
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| Older dark leaves,younger green leaves of chocolate vine |
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| close-up chocolate vine,missing some leaflets |
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| Leaves with five leaflets,same side of smooth woody stem |
The goldenrod has been blooming this week, a sign of good luck, or a sign of a vigorous weed, depending on your mood. Goldenrod is pollenated by insects and not by the wind,is therefore not a common cause of allergy. It is the ragweed blooming at the same time which is more responsible for hay fever. The young lance shaped leaves are edible and a tea can be made from the blooms.
The plant was considered as a wartime(WWII) source of rubber. The leaves contain seven percent rubber. The final product was not suitable for tires, too tacky. It is in the aster family with typical ray shaped flowers.
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| Goldenrod with unknown pollinator |
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