Kadsura coccinea (ball thread, Na rừng)

Kadsura coccinea is a climbing plant native to China and Vietnam. Over time, it develops very hard, woody stems and grows up to 4 meters tall. In Vietnam, also known as Na rừng, the fruits, which can weigh up to 4 kg, are highly prized. The large, spherical fruits consist of individual, densely packed berries arranged in a hexagonal pattern, similar to a honeycomb. The individual berries can be grasped by their hard outer skin and pulled out. The white, soft inner part of the berry is eaten. They have a pleasantly sweet taste and, depending on their ripeness, may also have a slightly tart note. They are also frequently preserved in alcohol or made into jam.

Especially in China, not only the fruit but also the wood and bark of Kadsura coccinea are highly prized, as they are all used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, since Kadsura is not cultivated and the fruit must be harvested from the rare, wild plants in the forest, the prices are correspondingly high. One kilogram of K. coccinea fruit costs the equivalent of €12-15, making it one of the most expensive fruits in Southeast Asia.

In our region, Kadsura coccinea is conditionally winter-hardy and can also be planted out once it has survived the sensitive seedling phase.

You will receive a young plant in a 9cm square pot on a 30cm bamboo trellis.