Carolina Snailseed

Cocculus carolinus

Menispermaceae (Moonseed Family)

Carolina Moonseed

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland

Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Best in a naturalistic garden where some spreading is appreciated. Can be an aggressive colonizer.

Comments

Common fast-growing, but short-lived, vine with deep green heart shaped leaves. Climbs by twining stems, does not have stickers; clusters of lustrous red berries Sept-Nov. Stems are not very woody and easily broken. Root system shallow/suckering. Dies back considerably each season. Birds eat the red berries.

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3 to

15 ft

Spread

.5 to

1 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist, Neutral

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Berry

Wildlife Benefit

Birds

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Epibaterium carolinum

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COCA. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cocculus+carolinus&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=14994&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt.

Native Plant Society of Texas