Menispermaceae - Moonseed family
Carolina Snailseed (Coralbead, Coralberry) Cocculus carolinus (Epibaterium carolinum)
This vine gently twists around anything not moving. No tendrils or thorns. Tiny flowers are less than 1/8" wide on a raceme 1" to 1 1/2" tall. Red fruit (drupe) are shiny; 1/4" wide in clusters 1"-8" long. Inside each fruit is a seed wrapped in a flat, snail-shaped, hard endocarp (inner section of the ovary wall). Hairy leaves are variable: no lobes, 3 lobes, secondary lobes, 1"-3" long. Five main leaf veins start at petiole (leaf stem). Grows in sand.
Flower photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, July 2004
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, June & September 2004, June 2005
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Coleman, Brown, Coke, Fisher)

Young Specimen

This is a very young vine growing in sand during a drought. Leaf about 1" long. Fire Ants like the flower nectar.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, July 2005
See similar leaves White Nightshade

              

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Also see: American Pokeweed

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