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Definition

noun, plural: Chinese gooseberries

(1) A woody vine of the genus Actinidia, family Actinidiaceae, class Magnoliopsida. It bears a dull brown-green, egg-shaped fruit with green sweet pulp and rows of small, black, edible seeds.

(2) Kiwifruit.

Supplement

The plant, a native to China, was brought in New Zealand by Mary Isabel Fraser. People in New Zealand find its taste similar to gooseberry; hence, they called the fruit Chinese gooseberry although the plant is not related to the gooseberry family (Grossulariaceae). It was then cultivated in New Zealand and commercialized as kiwifruit.

The fruit is known for being rich in Vitamin C.

Scientific name: Actinidia chinensis

Other common names:

• kiwi
• yang tao
• Macaque peach
• hairy bush fruit