Muehlenbeckia

Muehlenbeckia
Muehlenbeckia gunnii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Muehlenbeckia
Meisn.
Species

See text

Synonyms

Calacinum Raf
Homalocladium (F. Muell.) L. H. Bailey

Muehlenbeckia or the Maidenhair genus is native to the southern hemisphere, especially South America, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand and has been introduced both by birds and cultivation to temperate locales north of the equator. Some are tiny alpine mat-forming plants whereas others are vigorous vines with masses of dark stems and minimal small bronze-tinged leaf. In virtually frost-free environments rampant species can become weedy and difficult to eradicate.

The genus honors Alsatian bryologist Heinrich Gustav Mühlenbeck (1798–1845).[1]

Taxonomy

Muehlenbeckia taxa include (synonyms listed below):

Distribution

Native
Australasia:
Australia: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
New Zealand: Chatham Islands, New Zealand North, New Zealand South
Papuasia: New Guinea
Neotropic:
Central America: Honduras
Southern South America: Chile

Notes

  1. Biodiversity Heritage Library Taxonomic literature : a selective guide to botanical publications
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