Supplejack Vine
Supplejack, commonly found in the Coastal Plains of NC, is a native high-climbing deciduous woody vine. Also referred to as rattanvine, this coiling vine stems around branches and tree trunks for support. Where there is an absence of support the vines drop to the ground and loop around the forest or swamp floors in a very dense entanglement. In the first year of its life it resembles a small shrub. Once supplejack reaches full sunlight it produces non-twining leafy stems that bear flowers and fruits.
Supplejack flowers are white to pale green or yellow and usually appear from December to February. The leaves of this coiling vine are mostly opposite, green, dark green or yellow green and grow oblong in shape. It can grow several centimeters in length as it climbs towards sunlight.
Early European settlers used this hardy vine to make crayfish pots, ladders, flooring in canoes and baskets. This vine is also a great source of food and various parts have been used medicinally to help treat bowel troubles, rheumatism, and fevers. The rattanvine is a member of the buckthorn family, which produces small fleshy blue-black berries in the fall. These berries are edible once they are ripe and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Look for this high-climbing vine while hiking the Supplejack trail over at the Dismal Swamp State Park!
Sources & Images:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/berchemia-scandens/