A perennial woody native evergreen vine in the green briar family. It twines and climbs by tendrils. It is not as aggressive, as prickly, or as high a climber as other members of its genus. Shiny evergreen foliage is used by florists in floral arrangements. The upper parts of the vine are essentially prickle-less and easy to handle. It is native to the coastal plains in the Southeast to Texas. This plant prefers acidic moist soils in full to partial sun. Quick ID Evergreen vine with green zig-zag stem Stipules usually terminate in curling tendrils Lower parts of vine may have prickles Leaves are lanceolate, maculate and parallel-veined
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Good Cut; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
3-4 inch long and 1-2 inches wide glabrous leaves, small amount of hair, simple, entire margins, alternate oblaceolate to oblong with three prominate veins.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Umbel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Axillary umbles of 5-8 tiny green-yellow flowers.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Glaucus purple black berries on long stalks with 2-3 seeds
Bark color
Dark Brown; Green
Bark detail
Green, turning greenish-brown on older stems.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Zig-zag green stems become orange-red near the base. Usually smooth glaborus but sometimes have prickles.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE. U.S.A. to E. Texas
Distribution
AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA