Practical
Plants

Muehlenbeckia complexa

Maidenhair Vine

a deciduous member of the Muehlenbeckia genus in the family Polygonaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[2]. Botanically speaking it is actually the swollen flowers that are eaten![K].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very salt and wind hardy, it is an excellent plant for clothing wire netting fences in very exposed positions, making a good windbreak hedge[6]. It responds well to trimming and can be grown as a free-standing shrub or hedge[5]. The plant makes an excellent ground cover when it is grown in a sunny position[K].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber, Soil surface

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Coastal, lowland and lower montane forests, especially marginal, also in open and rocky places in North South and Stewart Islands[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[8]. 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[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[3]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[6]. This species is hardy to about -5°c[5]. 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[1][4]. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[4], though it can also support itself and grow more like a shrub[5].. Polymorphic, there are many sub-species[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  4. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩1↩2

  7. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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