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Common Name:

General Information

Muehlenbeckia astonii is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Coastal to lowland on riverbeds and terraces between latitudes 41° 30' and 43°south on North and South Islands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[].
A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. High percentage[]. Plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[].