SafePlants

Alabama Supplejack (Berchemia scandens)

Berchemia scandens, commonly known as Alabama supplejack or Rattan vine, is a climbing plant native to the southeastern United States.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces small, pea-sized black fruits.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Berchemia scandens (Hill) K. Koch
• Common Names: Alabama supplejack, Rattan vine
• Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonym: B volubilis (from translations in the PONS Online Italian - English Dictionary)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the southeastern U.S., ranging from Virginia to Mississippi and south to eastern Oklahoma.
• Found in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas.
• Grows well beneath trees and tolerates a wide range of soils, including coarse soils, and moderately wet to dry moisture levels.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A woody, twining vine that can grow to be quite large, reaching up to 60 feet.
• High climbing and sometimes kills the support tree.
• Deciduous leaves, alternate and simple, growing from 1-3 inches long.
• Features tough stems, greenish-white flowers, and blue fruits.
• Displays fall color.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Its fruits are a food source for wildlife, with small flocks clustering around the vines to feed on the berries. For example, White-crowned Sparrows can be observed feeding on the fruit.

Additional Information

• Arkansas native species information can be found at plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BESC.
• Images of the plant, including fruit, are available from sources like USFS (ret.) and the University of Illinois.
• TN Nursery and Garden Plants Nursery sell Alabama Supplejack online.