''Berchemia scandens'', commonly called Alabama supplejack, is a species of
climbing plant
A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselv ...
in the
buckthorn family
The Rhamnaceae are a large family of flowering plants, mostly trees, shrubs, and some vines, commonly called the buckthorn family. Rhamnaceae is included in the order Rosales.
The family contains about 55 genera and 950 species. The Rhamnaceae h ...
. It is native to the central and southern parts of the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including swamps, bottomlands, riparian banks, and upland calcareous areas.
It is a woody vine, with older stems reaching 18 cm in diameter.
[ The strong stems of the plant are often used for ]wickerwork
Wicker is the oldest furniture making method known to history, dating as far back as 5,000 years ago. It was first documented in ancient Egypt using pliable plant material, but in modern times it is made from any pliable, easily woven material. ...
.
Traditional medicinal uses
The Houma people
The Houma () are a historic Native American people of Louisiana on the east side of the Red River of the South. Their descendants, the Houma people or organization "The United Houma Nation", have been recognized by the state as a tribe since 1 ...
used a decoction of the aerial parts of the vine for impotency. Other Native Americans used the plant as a blood purifier and the ashes of the vine to treat coughs.
References
scandens
Flora of the Southeastern United States
Flora of the Southern United States
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Rhamnaceae-stub