Shiro Bana

Shiro Bana is a vigorous, twining vine with palmately compound leaves made up of five leaflets, climbing by wrapping around anything within its reach. Left to grow, it can reach up to 40 feet, producing pendant racemes of fragrant, half-inch flowers that show best when viewed from underneath. Unlike the species, which bears pink flowers, Shiro Bana's blooms are white. Its foliage habit also shifts with climate, staying evergreen in the Deep South but turning deciduous as it is grown north into zone 4.

Because of its quick, twining growth, Shiro Bana is often chosen to cover a fence or arbor in short order. When grown near other clones for cross-pollination, it can set sausage-like edible fruit in fall. The pulp inside has a tapioca-like texture and flavor, with a hint of passion fruit noted by some tasters.

Akebia quinata, from which Shiro Bana was selected, is native to China, Korea, and Japan.