Very nice picture. This is the fruit of Akebia quinata, commonly known as fiveleaf akebia or the chocolate vine. UBC has a good collection of this family of plants, the Lardizabalaceae. Here are some links for more information: Missouri Botanical Garden - Akebia quinata Plant Conservation Alliance - Akebia quinata A few notes of interest: 1) this plant is considered invasive along the east coast of North America, however, it hasn't been a problem in the west. 2) the pulp of the fruit is edible
Thanks! What an interesting plant. Do you know how long these vines have been at the stadium? Do they die back each winter so are not invasive here?
Well, I'm going to assume that when you say "at the stadium", you mean the plants that are along the fence between the E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden and the stadium. If that's the case, those plants have been there since the late 1980s. As for why they haven't been invasive, I don't want to speculate. They don't die back, though - they are evergreen in our mild maritime climate.
Yes, on the west side of the field. The Akebia quinata has covered the fence so well I hadn't realized the garden was just on the other side. Thanks for the help!
