Muehlenbeckia adpressa

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

Muehlenbeckia adpressa is an evergreen Climber growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. 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.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Sandhills by the coast and inland. Moist coastal forests.

Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies etc. A sour taste, but they are pleasant in small quantities.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it requires greenhouse protection in the winter according to some reports, whilst another says that it is possibly hardy in the mildest areas of Britain and another says that it grows luxuriantly in Cornwall. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc. Closely related to M. australis. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. gunnii.