Common Name Biological Name Type Family Zone Height Spread Bloom Time Bloom Description Sun Water Maintenance Suggested Use Flower Tolerate |
Rattan Vine berchemia scandens Rhamnaceae 6 to 9 20.00 to 60.00 feet 6.00 to 12.00 feet May to June Greenish-white Full sun to part shade Medium Low Rain Garden Showy Drought |
Culture Easily grown in average soils in full sun to part shade. Plants tolerate a wide range of soil moisture from dry to wet. Noteworthy Characteristics Supple-jack is a woody vine of the buckthorn family that features tough stems, greenish-white flowers and blue fruits. It is native from Virginia to Missouri south to Florida and Texas. It is typically found in (1) bottomland forests and swampy woods as a twining vine that climbs high into trees and (2) much drier upland limestone glades as a sprawling vine that trails along the ground (see Steyermark). Stems have smooth gray-green bark. Ovate to elliptic leaves (to 2.5″ long) have distinctive parallel pinnate veins. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in open terminal clusters in mid to late spring. Flowers give way to blue drupes (each 1/4″ across) which mature in autumn. Drupes are inedible (mildly toxic) for humans. Genus name honors Dutch botanist Berthout van Berchem. Specific epithet means “climbing upward” in reference to the climbing habit of this vine. Supple-jack is the name for a strong pliant walking stick made from a plant such as this vine. Vine stems can also be used to make wicker products, hence the additional common name of rattan vine. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Garden Uses Woody vine for woodland gardens, open woodland areas or native plant gardens. |
Information on this page is from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants, Texas Superstar or Aggie Horticulture |
This page last updated or reviewed [210802]