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Rhamnaceae
Berchemia

Berchemia scandens (Hill) K. Koch. Common name: Supplejack, American Rattan, Alabama Supplejack, Carolina Supplejack. Phenology: Apr-May; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Swamp forests, bottomlands, streambanks, also upland in mesic to even xeric forests, woodlands, glades, and prairie over calcareous rock or sediment. Distribution: Se. VA south to s. FL, west to TX, north in the interior to nc. TN, w. TN, s. IL, and s. MO; Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala.

Glossary (beta!)

ID notes: The smooth gray bark on larger vine (often marred by sapsucker wells) is distinctive even when the leaves are high overhead; vine can be at least 18 cm in diameter. Younger twig are bright green (or reddish tinted if sun-grown), and the neatly pinnate venation is also distinctive.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: Berchemia scandens climbs high into the crowns of swamp trees.

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA12, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mo3, NcTx, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, Brizicky (1964a); Rhamnus scandens J. Hill. Basionym: Rhamnus scandens Hill 1768

Links to other floras: = Berchemia scandens - FNA12

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FAC

Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Berchemia scandens, Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area, Houston County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Alan Cressler: berchemia scandens, montezuma bluffs natural area, macon county, georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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Height: to 50 feet

plant sale text: Supplejack is a sturdy high climbing vine notable for its distinctive smooth bark. This vine is not often used in horticulture but is an interesting and attractive curiosity well worth planting if you have the space. The flexible vines themselves are possibly its best feature and can be used to make baskets or furniture. Blue fruits that ripen in fall are eaten by birds and other wildlife. In the Carolinas, supplejack can be seen in swamp forests and bottomlands of the coastal plain.

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native range: Southeastern United States



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