FAMILY: RHAMNACEAE

ALTERNATE COMMON NAME:

LEAVES: alternate, simple, deciduous; 2-4 inch x 1-1.25 inch, oblong-ovate; shiny green with prominent parallel veins ("fish bones"); wavy margin

FLOWER: inconspicuous; May

FRUIT: blue-black drupe, 3/8”

TWIGS: fine lateral branches

BARK: smooth, green-gray, white streaks

FORM: high-climbing vine, no rooting along stem; stem up to 18 inches in diameter

HABITAT: moist sites; tolerates shade

WETLAND DESIGNATION: facultative wetland (FACW); usually (67-99%) found in wetlands

RANGE: eastern US

USES: many mammals and birds eat fruit; browsed by deer; may lower value of trees; stems used for furniture

Brief Recognition Features:

1. large stemmed, high climbing vine, with fine lateral branches
2. shiny leaves with parallel veins and wavy margin
3. smooth green-gray bark with white streaks