Actinidiaceae

Actinidiaceae (pronounced ak-tin-id-ee-AY-see-ee) is a family of flowering plants, primarily known for its most famous member, the kiwi fruit or Actinidia deliciosa. The family is part of the order Ericales, and includes about 360 species of woody plants spread across approximately 3 genera.

Etymology

The name Actinidiaceae is derived from the genus Actinidia, which is the type genus for this family. The genus name Actinidia comes from the Greek word 'aktis' or 'aktinos', meaning ray, in reference to the radiating form of the stigma in the flowers of this genus.

Description

Members of the Actinidiaceae family are typically woody plants, including both trees and shrubs. They are often climbing or twining in nature. The leaves are simple, alternate, and usually have serrated margins. The flowers are usually actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), and the fruit is typically a berry.

Genera

The Actinidiaceae family includes the following genera:

Actinidia - The most well-known genus, including the kiwi fruit.
Saurauia - A large genus of tropical trees and shrubs.
Clematoclethra - A small genus of shrubs native to China.

Related Terms

Ericales - The order to which Actinidiaceae belongs.
Actinidia deliciosa - The scientific name for the kiwi fruit.
Berry - The type of fruit typically produced by members of the Actinidiaceae family.