Centipede Plant Muehlenbeckia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mew-len-BECK-ee-ah
- Description
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Muehlenbeckia is a genus of plants, in the Pologonaceae (knotweed) family. They are related to buckwheat and are native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and islands in the Indian Ocean as well as a few that are native to Central and South America. However, they have been introduced to gardens all over the world. Unfortunately, some of the species a very weedy and have become a problem in their new homes.
All of the species are characterized by thin stems leading to the myriad of common names referring to climbing, wire, creeping, matted and so on. Some are prostrate and make tangled mats as much as three feet across. Some twine around nearby plants and can reach as high as 30+ feet off the ground. These climbers can become very heavy and cause damage to the supporting tree or structure.
All of the plants have smallish, green leaves. Some are semi-evergreen while others are deciduous. All bear flowers that range in color from white to yellow to green and all the shades in between. Some of the flowers are nearly invisible while others are quite eye catching. Sometimes there is an attractive fruit.
The smallest of them, with their thin stems, make good rock garden plants or they grow well in containers either outdoor on a patio or indoors as a houseplant. Their trailing habit makes them especially attractive dangling down from a hanging basket. The taller ones could make an interesting central planting in a bed.
Many of the species originate in coastal regions and can withstand salt and spray. Some come from mountain areas and can be hardy as far north as the North Western states. A few can survive near freezing temperatures and many can survive to Zone 11.
This appears to be a group of plants with something for everyone. But – remember that a number of them are invasive. Check carefully before you buy.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Some species of this genus can be very weedy and aggressive. Fungal problems can occur in poorly drained or wet soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Sun and Shade Demonstration Garden, Buncombe County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Muehlenbeckia axillaris
also known as Muehlenbeckia 'Nana' - Muehlenbeckia complexa
- Muehlenbeckia platyclados
Ribbon Bush, Tapeworm Plant
- Muehlenbeckia axillaris
- Muehlenbeckia axillaris, Muehlenbeckia complexa, Muehlenbeckia platyclados
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Muehlenbeckia axillaris
also known as Muehlenbeckia 'Nana' - Muehlenbeckia complexa
- Muehlenbeckia platyclados
Ribbon Bush, Tapeworm Plant
- Muehlenbeckia axillaris
- Muehlenbeckia axillaris, Muehlenbeckia complexa, Muehlenbeckia platyclados
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Muehlenbeckia
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Some of the species of this genus native to South America have been used by the indigenous peoples as medicines.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West N America, S America, C America, Australasia, Indian Ocean
- Distribution:
- These plants are now found in almost every area of the world.
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 33 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Translucent various colors berries
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers on these plants range from nearly invisible to eye catching. They appear at the ends of the stems singly, in ones and twos and sometimes in a raceme. Individually they are small and simple in shape. It is when they appear in a raceme or a cluster that you notice them. The color ranges from white, through yellow to green and every combination of those three colors that you can imagine. Some species are dioecious, like holly, so you would have to plant both sexes to get fruit.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Sinuate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves on these plants are usually deciduous but some are semi-evergreen. The shapes vary from round to lanceolate with some species having entire margins and some wavy ones. They are usually green in color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Black
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Thin wiry black stems that are very tough.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Problems:
- Weedy