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Supplejack Berchemia scandens

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ber-KEE-mee-ah SKAN-dens
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Supplejack is a woody vine of the Buckthorn family that is native to southeast and central USA. It can be found in a variety of areas from swampy to upland woodland growing on the ground or climbing high into trees. In NC it can be found mainly on the coastal plain. The tough stems have been used in wickerworks.  Greenish-white flowers occur late spring into summer and are followed by blue fruits in the fall which are eaten by birds and small mammals. 

This plant tolerates soils from wet to dry in sun to shade. It is best used in naturalized and woodland settings.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#drought tolerant#shade garden#low maintenance#wetlands#showy fruits#fire extreme flammability#NC native#woody vine#blue fruits#native vine#food source fall#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#vine#Audubon#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#drought tolerant#shade garden#low maintenance#wetlands#showy fruits#fire extreme flammability#NC native#woody vine#blue fruits#native vine#food source fall#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#vine#Audubon#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berchemia
    Species:
    scandens
    Family:
    Rhamnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Vines can be used for making wicker products. Used medicinally by native Americans.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE and central. U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It's fruits are high in calcium and are eaten by songbirds, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, raccoon and gray squirrel.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 inch fleshy, blue-black fruit, longer than wide and slightly flattened, mature in autumn. Fruit displays from August to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small greenish-white flowers bloom in open terminal clusters. Blooms from April to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1 to 2 1/2 inches long oval leaves have prominent veins branching from the midrib and rounded or pointed tips. Margins are entire to slightly wavy.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Mottled gray and green smooth bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Young stems are reddish and smooth. Mature to green-gray up to 1 inch in diameter. The main stem even larger.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown, but caution since related to some known toxic plants
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits