Scrambling Lignum - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Muehlenbeckia sp. Mt Norman

Conservation status in NSW: Not listed

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 10 Jul 2026

Profile last updated: 10 Jul 2026

Description

Scrambling Lignum is a scrambling climber. The low straggling stems are up to 5 m long and have turned up ends. The oval-shaped leaves are 3 - 14 cm long and 1.5 - 9 cm wide. The flowers are spread evenly along the branches and produce black, warty, shiny nuts 2.5 - 3.5 mm long. These are covered by large fleshy flower parts when ripe. Large numbers of seedlings appear following bush fires, with most plants living for only 2 - 3 years. Rare individuals may live for 10 years.

Distribution

Scattered distribution from Queensland to the Blue Mountains in NSW. Records on the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes include Bald Rock north of Tenterfield, Warra and Butterleaf National Parks near Glen Innes and Mt Kaputar.

Habitat and ecology

Grows in coarse sandy soils and peat in heath, mallee and open eucalypt woodland on granite or acid volcanic outcrops at higher altitudes.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Inappropriate fire regime. A lack of fire for extended periods can inhibit recruitment.
Risk of local extinction due to scattered populations.
Trampling and soil compaction by bushwalkers.
Road maintenance activities including slashing and spraying disturbs or damages seedlings and adult plants and promotes weed invasion.
Browsing by goats impacting habitat condition and removing individual plants. This threat is exacerbated after fire and during drought periods.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Keep to formed tracks when visiting national parks.
Manage fire in areas of known habitat to maintain and encourage Scrambling Lignum.
Protect areas of potential habitat from clearing or fragmentation.
Report any new records of Scrambling Lignum to the DEC.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Muehlenbeckia costata (a scrambling herb) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.