About Berchemia scandens (Hill) K.Koch
Berchemia scandens (Hill) K.Koch, commonly known by the common names supplejack, Alabama supplejack, Carolina supplejack, and American rattan, is a woody vine belonging to the buckthorn family. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it grows in a wide range of habitats. These habitats include swamps, bottomlands, streambanks, moist to dry upland forests, woodlands, glades, and prairies that form over calcareous rock or sediment. This species is a woody vine, and its older stems can grow up to 18 centimeters in diameter. The plant’s strong stems are frequently used for wickerwork. Regarding traditional medicinal uses, the Houma people prepared a decoction from the aerial parts of this vine to treat impotency. Other groups of Native Americans used the plant as a blood purifier, and used the ashes of the vine to treat coughs.
