Cupseed facts for kids

Calycocarpum is a special type of plant that has only one species, called Calycocarpum lyonii. It's often known by its common name, cupseed. This plant is found only in the southeastern parts of the United States. It belongs to the Menispermaceae family, which includes many types of vines and shrubs.

Where Does Cupseed Grow?

Cupseed plants are native to the southeastern United States. You can find them in states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. They also grow in southern Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Further south, they are in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, northwestern Florida, and southern South Carolina.

These plants usually grow along the banks of streams. They prefer to live in forests where trees lose their leaves in the fall. You'll typically find them in areas that are less than 350 meters (about 1,150 feet) above sea level.

What Does Cupseed Look Like?

Cupseed is a type of vine. This means it climbs over other plants, like tall forest trees. It can even reach the very tops of these trees!

Leaves

The leaves of the cupseed plant are quite large. They are shaped a bit like a pentagon, which is a five-sided shape. Each leaf can be up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) wide. They can also be up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) long.

Flowers and Fruits

Cupseed plants produce flowers that grow in long clusters. These clusters are called racemes or panicles. They can be as long as 35 centimeters (about 14 inches).

After the flowers, the plant grows small fruits. These fruits are called drupes. When they are fresh, they are green. But as they dry, they turn black. The fruits are round or oval-shaped. They can be up to 25 millimeters (about 1 inch) long.