Buds and Flowers of Akebia Quinata (Chocolate Vine) 木通（アケビ）の花

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These 1 to 2 cm purple buds (1st photo) are akebia quinata or commonly chocolate vine, or more specifically a mass of the male flower buds (smaller, in the front) and a female flower bud (bigger, in the back) of akebia quinata on the same vine. Their beautiful mauve color and cute shape has attracted me since I saw them for the first time last March. 

At that time, however, I mistook them for the fruits of euonymus hamiltonianus or hamilton's spindletree, so in March, I didn't realize I was looking at akebia quinata having male (smaller) and female (bigger) flowers on the same vine (2nd photo). Now with that knowledge, I can enjoy more of these pretty buds and flowers. The more knowledge we've got, the more understanding we have!  

The fruits of chocolate vine are said to be tasty. I said "said to be" because I've never eaten them or seen them sold at supermarkets, just remembering my granddad or dad talking about them a long time ago. Now I've found a chocolate vine growing in my neighborhood, it's time for me to try the fruit!😋  

2021/8 Akebia quinata - Male buds (smaller, front) and a female bud (bigger, back)
2021/8 木通の蕾 - 手前が雄花で後ろが雌花

2021/3 - Male buds on the left and a female flower side by side 雄の蕾（左）と雌花

2021/3 Female flowers 木通の雌花 

2021/8 Male and female buds of chocolate vine アケビのツボミ

2021/8 The mauve color is beautiful! 薄紫がきれい！

2021/3 Male buds and flowers 木通の雄花

2021/3 White male buds 雄花

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木通（アケビ）の蕾です。初めて見たのは今年の3月。その色と形に一目で魅せられてしまったのですが、その時は檀の実と間違えてしまい、そのせいで、雄花（小さい方）と雌花（大きい方）が一つの蔓に咲いていることを分かっていませんでした。（写真撮っといてよかった😅）知識がないと楽しめないといういい例です｡｡｡

アケビ、聞いたことはあるのですが食べたことがなく、売られているのを見たこともありません。祖父か父が昔話していたのを聞いたような聞かないような｡｡｡ この秋、探して食べてみたいです😋

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