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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

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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

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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

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Other
Muehlenbeckia adpressa		Climber	2.5	8-11		LMH	SN	M	2
Muehlenbeckia astonii		Shrub	1.8	-		LMH	SN	M	2
Muehlenbeckia australis		Climber	10.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	2
Muehlenbeckia axillaris	Sprawling wirevine	Climber	0.3	7-10	M	LMH	SN	M	3	2
Muehlenbeckia chilensis		Climber	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2

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.

Muehlenbeckia complexa - (A.Cunn.)Meissn.