Matted Lignum, Creeping wire vine, Pohuehue
Muehlenbeckia axillaris

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It can be a climber and can form mats. The branches lie along the ground. It can grow up to 2 m high and spreads 0.5-2.5 m wide. There are often many branches and they are wiry and red-brown. They can form roots at the nodes. The leaves are 0.3-1.5 cm long by 0.2-1.5 cm wide. They are oval or rounded and are alternate. They are leathery and have short stalks. They are dark green and crowded. The flowers are very small. They are greenish. They can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit are nuts which are very small and 3 angled. They are 0.3 cm long and black or brown.

There are about 20 Muehlenbeckia species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places and can grow to 1200 m altitude. It can tolerate snow and frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings or by using layered shoots. Plants can be pruned or clipped.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polygonum axillare Hook.f.; See Muehlenbeckia complexa