August-plum

August-plum

　　Commonly known as xugua, it belongs to the Lardizabalaceae family, specifically the Akebia trifoliata species. It is grown in the mountains north of townships such as Shengrenjian, Sanmen, Podi, and Caochuan in our county. It is hailed as the “mountain banana” of the Zhongtiao Mountain range.

　　　　August-plum is a perennial vine plant that often twines around other tree branches. It blooms deep purple flowers from late April to early May, and after the flowers fade, small fruits begin to show, which are grayish-green in color. By around mid-September, they gradually ripen starting from sun-exposed slopes and then shaded areas. Each fruit weighs between 250–500 grams. When unripe, each fruit closely resembles a crescent moon, hanging in clusters from the branches. Once ripe, the back splits open wide, revealing a grayish-white outer skin, a peach-red inner skin, and snow-white flesh with jet-black seeds — an appearance so unique it resembles a fleshy flower. As a result, it has earned many vivid and peculiar nicknames. Because it ripens around mid-August in the lunar calendar and opens its mouth-like split, locals call it “August-plum.” The ripe fruit is incredibly delicious — its sweetness rivals honey but is even sweeter, and its pulp is similar to sticky rice cake yet smoother and more tender. When eating it, you shouldn’t chew it bite by bite, because the black seeds are bitter. Instead, suck on it like a toothless child or elderly person eating, and the flavor is truly exquisite.

　　　　August-plum can be cultivated artificially. With improved breeding techniques, it could become a distinctive local specialty of Pinglu.