I am planning on starting some
Lardizabalaceae breeding next year (2022).
I mainly want to perform some interfamilial hybrids.
This entire family appears to have an edible gel -
Akebia skins are sometimes cooked.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-sneaky-life-of-the-worlds-most-mysterious-planthttps://nautil.us/issue/104/harmony/plants-feel-pain-and-might-even-see?Boquila trifoliolata, is apparently able to mimic spines on leaves - leaf shape / size etc. I am unsure if it will mimic colors as well. It has also mimicked plastic plants.
Akebia species - also referred to as "Chocolate Vines" are quite cold hardy, also have a large number of species compared to the rest of the Family. Some species are hardy down to Zones 6 - 8.
Akebia quinata is supposedly hardy down to Zone 4.
The
Holboellia genus also has quite a few species - I will be mentioning
Holboellia latifolia which many sources say is hardy down to Zone 6. The fruits themselves appear to be large than those of
Akebia.
Stauntonia has a few interesting species - one of them is said to taste like "honey", fruits are a decent enough size.
Stauntonia hexaphylla appears to be the easiest species to get ahold of.
Lardizabala biternata (The only plant in it's genus) is from Chile, just like
Boquila trifoliolata. The fruit is called Zabala fruit in English.
Decaisnea insignis is another possibly monotypic species. Also known as "Dead Man's Fingers", it is eaten in Nepal and China. This is the only "shrub" in the entire family.
All or most of these species most have their "gel" eaten and the seeds removed.
If smaller seeds could be selected for, straining them out may become a solution for commercial use.
Banana, honey, melon and other flavors have been described within the family.
Having an aromatic, cold hardy - ornamental crop could become a new source of income for people in colder climates as well. Leaf mimicry could work out in some different situations as well.
The family has species from: South America - Asia, and a few other regions. Being able to hybridize these species could unlock new flavors, disease resistances, pest resistances and allow the crops to grow in new locations.
I am working on getting seeds for some of these species.
I will be growing
Lardizabala biternata and
Boquila trifoliolata indoors. Bought them from Wanderlust Nursery and Far Reaches Farm.
Monrovia sells
Holboellia latifolia and I am not seeing any sort of patent on the variety, but - they appear to have stopped shipping online (At least for now?). Same story with their listing of
Holboellia coriacea - not hardy in my zone, could try to mulch it.
JoyCreekNursery sells
Holboellia angustifolia var. angustifolia and
Holboellia coriacea. Both are hardy to Zone 7, if I am buying these and mulching them - I want them to establish their root systems. I will probably until next year before I consider purchasing them.
Holboellia coriacea says "out of stock" - next crop in 2022. Holboellia angustifolia has around 20+ plants still in stock, not a good sign this late in the season.
Far Reaches Farm sells
Decaisnea fargesii CDHM 14633 - it is currently out of stock, I should have bought it earlier in the year. Appears to have larger fruit than the commonly sold type. Also a clone, unsure if the fruit size is stable.
If I am able to find any other species, I will try and grow them as well. I would prefer to grow mostly cold hardy species as I do not have access to a greenhouse (Rather not use the house as one...).
