Oval, glossy dark green leaves grow in clusters of five. Vines produce dangling purple flowers in spring sometimes followed by fruits that resemble eggplants late in the summer. Fruits are edible, but not very tasty to humans. Akebia is related to the kiwi, so fruit has tiny black seeds embedded in the pulp as a kiwi does.
Great to hide a chainlink fence. Evergreen in Zone 6.