Muehlenbeckia hastulata
Wirevine, Wirevine
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Muehlenbeckia hastulata (Wirevine) is a non-native California vine in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Key features: larger pointed leaves, less twisted stems, Bay Area distribution.
Wirevine is a naturalized shrub found in San Francisco Bay bioregion in disturbed areas, coastal bluffs, and sandy or rocky places at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white to green-white flowers small in size with perianth parts fused approximately one-quarter of their length. Growing with climbing or spreading stems up to 3 meters tall, the plant has green-brown stems with glabrous distal branches. Its leaves are approximately 2 to 4 centimeters long, 1.2 to 2.5 centimeters wide, with glabrous surfaces and entire or irregularly wavy margins ending in acute tips. The fruit is generally included, small, approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long, spheric in shape, and glossy black.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Key features: larger pointed leaves, less twisted stems, Bay Area distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, coastal bluffs, sandy, rocky places
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to South America
Bloom period
Muehlenbeckia hastulata blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Coprosma: Muehlenbeckia has wiry climbing stems; Coprosma forms upright shrubs with opposite leaves.; vs Rhamnus: Muehlenbeckia has tiny flowers and fleshy fruits; Rhamnus has small but distinct petaled flowers.; vs Adiantum: Muehlenbeckia is a woody vine; Adiantum is a fern with delicate fan-shaped leaflets.; vs Oxyria: Muehlenbeckia is a woody vine; Oxyria is a non-woody herb with kidney-shaped basal leaves.; vs Bistorta: Muehlenbeckia is a woody vine; Bistorta is an upright herb with dense flower spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Muehlenbeckia hastulata native to California?
No. Muehlenbeckia hastulata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Muehlenbeckia hastulata bloom?
Muehlenbeckia hastulata blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Muehlenbeckia hastulata belong to?
Muehlenbeckia hastulata is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Muehlenbeckia.
What habitat does Muehlenbeckia hastulata grow in?
Muehlenbeckia hastulata grows in Disturbed areas, coastal bluffs, sandy, rocky places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.