Nephroia carolina (L.) Lian Lian & Wei Wang

Carolina Coralbeads; Carolina Snailseed; Carolina Moonseed

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Carolina Moonseed is a native perennial vine in the Moonseed family (Menispernaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama. Carolina Moonseed grows in woodland borders, along fence rows, along powerline corridors, and in disturbed areas. It is a perennial, twining vine from a rhizome. Vines reach lengths of 12-15 feet. Young vines are green and pubescent, older vines are brown-tan. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and pubescent to glabrous. The leaf shape is highly variable from ovate to sagittate. The leaf margins are entire. The leaves are thick and leathery, and the veins are raised above the surface of the leaf, giving them a rough texture. Flowers are produced in axillary or terminal panicles or racemes. Flowers have 6-9 greenish sepals and 6 greenish-yellow petals. The fruit is an orange or red drupe. The seed has a bony, warty, spiraled seed coat. The seed resembles the shell of a snail. Carolina Moonseed is sometimes available from nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil and full sun. Plants will require a trellis or other support for climbing. Plants can become aggressive, sprouting from the rhizomes.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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