Twining, high-climbing woody vine. Stems smooth, reddish- to greenish-gray, often twining around trees in a tight spiral or forming a dense tangle over shrubs. Leaves oblong-ovate, acute; with straight parallel pinnate veins; 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) long and 1.5-3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) wide. Flowers small, greenish-white, blooming in late Spring. Fruit a blue drupe 7-8 mm (about 0.3 in) long maturing in Fall.
Distribution: Native to the southeastern quarter of the U. S.
Habitat: Bottomland forests and limestone uplands.
NWI status: FAC+
Comment: Many bird species eat the fruits . Berchemia honors Dutch botanist Berthout van Berchem; scandens refers to the climbing habit.
Distribution in Oklahoma:
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Last update: 9/8/99
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