By far the best known of the approximately 360 species belonging to this small family - found mainly in tropical Asia and America - is the kiwifruit, Actinidia deliciosa. This native of south China is also known as Chinese gooseberry; not surprisingly the Actinidiaceae is also known as the Chinese gooseberry family. Actinidia is one of only three genera, the others being Saurauia (approx.300 species) and Clematoclethra (approx. 20 species). The second best known species is probably Actinidia kolomikta, a popular Asain ornamental.
