Creeping Wire Vine

(Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as creeping wire vine or matted lignum, is a low evergreen shrub native to scrub and rocky areas as well as coastal regions in New Zealand, and the Australian states of Tasmania, New South Wales, and Victoria. It forms dense, wiry mats up to about 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in diameter and is characterized by its thin, red-brown stems and glossy, squarish to roundish leaves that are less than 1 cm (0.39 in) in diameter and 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) thick. The flowers are inconspicuous, yellowish-white, 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) in diameter, and borne in groups of up to three in the leaf axils. The black, shiny fruit is produced in late summer to fall and is up to 3.5 mm (0.14 in) long.

Creeping wire vine is valued for its hardiness, drought tolerance, and rapid growth, making it an excellent choice for ground cover, especially in rocky or poor soil conditions. It is also used in hanging baskets and as a spillover plant in containers due to its cascading habit. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it grows fastest in warm seasons, it can withstand freezing temperatures. Gardeners should be aware that it can become invasive in some conditions, spreading vigorously and potentially outcompeting other plants.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
  • Width: 1-1.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to scrub and rocky areas, coastal regions in New Zealand, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Victoria

Other Names

Common Names: Creeping Wire Vine, Matted Lignum, Slideranka

Scientific Names: , Muehlenbeckia axillaris, Polygonum depressum, Polygonum axillare, Muehlenbeckia parvifolia, Calacinum axillare, Muehlenbeckia hypogaea, Muehlenbeckia nana, Muehlenbeckia parvifolia var. caespitosa, Muehlenbeckia parvifolia var. expansa

GBIF Accepted Name: Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Hook.fil.) Walp.