In the Chinese classics, the earliest reference to Actinidia is widely believed to be this passage from the Guifeng section of the Book of Songs: "In the marsh grows changchu / Tender her shoots / Glistening beauty / Blissfully unknowing. / in the marsh grows changchu / Tender her blooms / Glistening beauty / Blissfully unfettered. / In the marsh grows changchu / Tender her fruits / Glistening beauty / Blissfully unburdened."
中國典籍中，最早有關獼猴桃的記載，許多人認為是《詩經．檜風》中的「隰有萇楚」。「隰有萇楚，猗儺其枝，夭之沃沃，樂子之無知。隰有萇楚，猗儺其華，夭之沃沃，樂子之無家。隰有萇楚，猗儺其實，夭之沃沃，樂子之無室。」