Bay Starvine, Bay Star-vine, Climbing Magnolia, Magnolia Vine, Wild Sarsaparilla

I saw a good specimen at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL in the Appalachian Collection on the east side in early September 2017. It looks g...Read Moreood! It has alternate arranged leaves and climbs by twining. It has inconspicuous flowers that are maroon colored and are borne solitary or in loose clusters. It is found in scattered locations in the southeastern US; not common.

This species is virtually impossible to find in commerce and not often encountered in the wild, which is unfortunate. In the SE USA, S. g...Read Morelabra is indigenous to damp, riparian forests, although its habitat is increasingly being choked with invasive ornamentals such as Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle). Given its demonstrable cold hardiness (proven in Zone 5) and habitats of its dysjunctive Asian cousins, I suspect the original range of this species was more northerly, but like numerous others, was pushed south by glaciation during the last ice age. A recent scientific study demonstrated the fruit of S. glabra to possess comparable medicinal virtues to that of S. chinensis, much in the same way that P. quinquifolius is comparable to P. ginseng, which endows S. glabra with untapped "superfood" potential.

Cultivation from seed can be frustrating for all species in this genus, but propagation by layering or air layering of runners is possible with care, patience, indirect lighting, a sufficiently moist medium, and ample humidity. It is often said this species is dioecious, and while it may oftentimes appear to be the case, this is incorrect. What is important to know is plants are evolved to discourage self-fertilization, so two genetically different specimens are helpful if good fruit set and abundant seed is desired. Plants succeed in a consistently moist (not boggy), rich soil with shade to dappled sun, particularly in regions with hot (e.g. >86F 30C) summers. Plants can withstand more direct sun in cooler climates where sufficient humidity is present.