Berchemia Species, Alabama Supplejack, Rattan Vine

The foliage is very glossy and attractive---clean and unblemished throughout the growing season. The leaves are small and dainty. I can i...Read Moremagine this as a useful screening plant, when grown on a metal trellis or arbor.

And I can see how this can be an aggressive strangler, if allowed to climb into trees and shrubs. It climbs by twining, like bittersweet or honeysuckle or wisteria.

Generally reaches 20-50' in height.

Native to the southeastern US, from the Gulf coast north to MD, IL, MO, and west to TX.

I will be using sections for shifter knobs due to it's dense structure. I haven't found any as large as stated here so if there are any p...Read Morelaces around the S E Houston areas that these are large, let me know. It takes awhile for these to dry out, too quick and they will split. I have worked with other simular woods and I place them in a plastic bag, leave in the shaded garage and work on them when there is no more moisture condensing on the plastic(up to a year). I have sanded smaller pieces and the grain/color/texture looks rich. And it's pretty heavy.

This is a native plant in the Southeast. It grows in wooded areas and on slopes. It can survive anything: scorching sun, full shade, cold...Read More, hot, flood, drought, poor soil. When the conditions are not favorable, it goes dormant where the vines lose their leaves and wait for better conditions. The vines are very tough while they are green and it would be great if someone could find a use for them. The vines are brittle when dry. Berries are poisonous to humans.

Uses: 1. Rattan vine for wicker. 2. According to a book on Native American ethnobotany, this plant was used to treat impotence.

This is not a landscaping plant because it's a vine with very few leaves that chokes out other plants. If left on its own, it can cause problems, but I can see where it may be useful if used wisely. It's not that difficult to get rid of it if you don't want it (not as bad as poison ivy). I wouldn't plant it as an ornamental plant, but its strength is intriguing and should be explored for commercial use.

Please use caution IF you plant this species...
It takes over and become quite a problem.
On the 20 acres, here in Oklahoma...Read More, it is killing trees of all kinds, making a wooded area a jungle, and so far, we are finding no way to control it other than by hand, since we would rather not use chemicals.