Akebi is a mysterious fruit that has a beautiful purple hue. It's not a common fruit that yon can find in any supermarket. The plant is native to the north of Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula. Because its flowers smell like chocolate, so the plant is also called chocolate vine.

Akebi's beautiful purple pod is edible and its translucent white flesh tastes soft and a bit sweet. In Akita Prefecture, Japan, people used akebi seeds to produce oil which has antiseptic properties. The fruit ripens in autumn, which makes it a symbol of the season in Japan. 

Here are two photos of this strange fruit for you to take a look:

About 'Plants & Nations' 

"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide to beautiful plants from different countries. 

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