About 15 species of largely dioecious, evergreen, climbing, or prostrate subshrubs, and shrubs. Stems are generally densely branched with dark, thin, interlacing branchlets. Leaves are small and generally alternate. Flowers are inconspicuous and the small fruit white. In some environments, rampant species can become weedy and difficult to eradicate. Named for H.G. Muehlenbeck (1798-1845), Swiss physician.
Native to South America, New Zealand, Australia, and New Guinea.
Pronunciation:
mu-lan-BEK-ee-a aks-i-LAH-ris
Family:
Polygonaceae