Mountain mixed forests in open places, also widely cultivated; 1600-2900 m. Chongqing, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan [Japan, Korea, Russia]. Actinidia kolomikta in Flora of China @ efloras.org
Thanks Ron. Really surprised this ranges north to Heilongjiang in extreme north China which is very very cold in winter.
Unusual in being one of very few naturally variegated plants - it is like this in the wild, it isn't just a selected cultivar. It has been suggested that the white/pink parts of the leaves make the plant look diseased, and thus less attractive to herbivores.
Yes; undoubtedly a non-variegated plant would photosynthesize more efficiently; but if it ends up being eaten, then it may ultimately lose the race to the less fit individual that doesn't get eaten.