Rattan vine Supplejack

Supplejack is a large, twining, climbing vine with a strong woody stem that can be 5 to 7 inches across. It grows in moist, rich woods from south and east Texas, the westernmost portion of its range, north to Missouri and east to the southeastern coast. It climbs by the twisting of its stems counter-clockwise. The stems are extremely strong and can sometimes kill the tree they climb. The tiny flowers appear in the spring, followed by the fruit, a bluish-black oblong drupe that is a favorite of many birds. The common name rattan vine refers to the use of the strong, supple stems in making wickerware.