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Muehlenbeckia complexa - (A.Cunn.)Meissn.

Common Name Maidenhair Vine
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal, lowland and lower montane forests, especially marginal, also in open and rocky places in North South and Stewart Islands[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Muehlenbeckia complexa Maidenhair Vine


http://www.flickr.com/people/11139974@N00
Muehlenbeckia complexa Maidenhair Vine
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Muehlenbeckia complexa is a deciduous Climber growing to 5 m (16ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[173]. Botanically speaking it is actually the swollen flowers that are eaten![K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge

Very salt and wind hardy, it is an excellent plant for clothing wire netting fences in very exposed positions, making a good windbreak hedge[29]. It responds well to trimming and can be grown as a free-standing shrub or hedge[260]. The plant makes an excellent ground cover when it is grown in a sunny position[K].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[29]. This species is hardy to about -5°c[260]. It does not withstand hard frosts, growing very well in south-western Britain but being killed back to the ground by severe frosts at Kew and further north[11, 219]. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[219], though it can also support itself and grow more like a shrub[260].. Polymorphic, there are many sub-species[44]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. High percentage[78]. Plant out in late spring. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. High percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (North Island, South Island, Stewart Island)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Muehlenbeckia adpressa Climber2.5 8-11  LMHSNM20 
Muehlenbeckia astonii Shrub1.8 -  LMHSNM20 
Muehlenbeckia australis Climber10.0 7-10  LMHSNM20 
Muehlenbeckia axillarisSprawling wirevineClimber0.3 7-10 MLMHSNM302
Muehlenbeckia chilensis Climber0.0 -  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(A.Cunn.)Meissn.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

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