Silver vine is a woody climbing vine native to East Asia and used in many cat enrichment products. Some leaves turn partly white around flowering time, and many cats rub or roll when exposed to the plant. It is also called matatabi.
Appearance
Growth form
A woody vine that climbs by twining.
Leaves
Some leaves turn partly white around flowering time, without the pink often seen on kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta).
Fruit
Its narrow, pointed fruit ripens yellow-orange in fall in Massachusetts.
Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) has glossy green leaves and larger, green, grape-sized fruit. Silver vine has white-splashed leaves and pointed yellow-orange fruit.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Botanical gardens and trellises
Range
Native to eastern Asia, silver vine is grown in U.S. botanical collections.
Growing it
Care
It can be grown as an ornamental vine on a sturdy support.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed
Culture and stories
Culture and stories
Many cats rub or roll when exposed to silver vine; individual responses vary.