Ribbon-bush, Tapeworm plant
Muehlenbeckia platyclada

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A clambering shrub. It loses it leaves during the year. It grows 3-4 m high. The stems are flattened and green. They act like leaves. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 5 cm long. They fall off before flowering. The flowers are very small. The petals are greenish-white. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. They do not have a flower stalk. The fruit is small and red to black.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does well in seasonally moist and dry climates. It needs an average, well-drained soil. It needs bright, filtered light. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens. In XTBG Yunnan. In Queen Sirikit BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Comoros, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Reunion, SE Asia, Solomon Islands (country/location of origin), South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Alupihan, Ceitpede plant, Kaktus kismis, Lanbach, Raisin cactus, Tructiet

Synonyms

Calacinum platycladum (F. Muell.) J. F. Macbr.; Coccoloba platyclada (F. Muell.) F. Muell.; Exocarpus ceramicus Naves; Homalocladium platycladum (F. Mueller) L.H. Bailey; Polygonum platycladum F. Mueller; Sarcogonum platycladum (G. Muell.) Voss;