Actinidia chinensis Female (Kiwi)

Actinidia chinensis, commonly known as the hardy kiwi or golden kiwi, is a vigorous woody vine native to the temperate zones of East Asia, particularly China. It is part of the Actinidiaceae family and is closely related to the well-known green kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa). The plant is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female flowers on different plants. The flowers are white to cream-colored, typically appearing in late spring, and are fragrant and attract a variety of pollinators, particularly bees. The fruit of Actinidia chinensis is typically round or oval, measuring about 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 inches) in diameter, with smooth skin and juicy, sweet flesh. The plant thrives in temperate to subtropical climates, needing a well-defined period of winter chilling, and is tolerant of a range of temperatures but does better in regions that do not have extreme heat.