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small-leaved pōhuehue

foliage palette
fruit & flower palette

Muehlenbeckia complexa var. complexa | small-leaved pōhuehue, scrub pōhuehue, wire vine

 

A robust evergreen groundcover  known for its sprawling, tangled mass of brown, wiry stems. Its small, rounded, light-green leaves complement tiny, creamy-green flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer. This versatile plant can form dense mounds, spread across the ground, or climb over other plants, banks, and walls. Its twining vines are even trainable on wires as climbers. Hardy and resilient pōhuehue is a popular choice for coastal restoration due to its fast growth and ability to stabilise sand dunes. It also attracts insects and lizards, making it beneficial for local wildlife.

  • typical habitat.

    coastal forest

    lowland forest

    montane forest

    forest margins

  • drainage.

    dry

    free draining

    well drained

    moist

  • sun.

    partial shade

    full shade

    full sun

  • mature specifications.

    height | 2m

    width | 3m

  • pollinators calendar.

    flowering |  October - February

    fruiting |  March - June

  • did you know?

    In its natural habitat, pōhuehue plays a key role sealing off disturbed areas at the forest edge, helping to suppress invasive weeds like blackberry, and boosting insect diversity.

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