Thursday, March 17, 2011

Akebia Quinata





"Chocolate Vine".  This delicate beauty was already up to the roof when we moved into Cicada Cottage.    I love it.  It is in full bloom right now.  I wondered why it was named for everyone's favorite confection because the little seed pods are purple, not even a tinge of brown.  A little reading led to the discovery that the blossoms are chocolate-scented!!  I love it even more.  In China the "herb" is used to encourage lactation in nursing mothers.