Cocculus carolinus facts for kids
The Carolina Coralbead (also known as Redberry Moonseed or Carolina Snailseed) is a cool plant found in the southern and midwestern parts of the United States. It gets its name from its super bright, marble-like red berries that pop out from its leaves.
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What is Carolina Coralbead Like?
The Carolina Coralbead is a woody vine that loses its leaves in the fall (this is called deciduous). It can climb up tree trunks or spread along the ground. You can often find it in forests, rocky areas, along fences, and near ponds.
This vine can grow quite tall, reaching 10 to 12 feet (about 3 to 3.6 meters). While its berries are very pretty, they are not safe for humans to eat and can be harmful if swallowed in large amounts. So, it's best to just look at them!
In some places, like Little Rock, Arkansas, Carolina Coralbead can spread very easily. Birds help spread its seeds, and once its roots are set, it can be tough to remove. This is why people sometimes worry about it growing in new areas. The plant's best features are its green leaves and those eye-catching red berries in the fall. It can handle cold temperatures, from about 25 °F (-3.8 °C) down to -20 °F (-28.8 °C). Its leaves have short hairs and should not be confused with another plant called Smilax bona-nox, which has prickly stems and tendrils.
Where Does Carolina Coralbead Grow?
The Carolina Coralbead has been found in many states. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. You can spot this plant in places like the edges of forests or near the start of streams.
How Does Carolina Coralbead Grow?
The flowers of the Carolina Coralbead are small but there are many of them. When they first appear, they look greenish. The plant starts to flower in late spring and its berries are ready by late summer. These berries grow in tight, bright red bunches.
Landscapers sometimes use the Carolina Coralbead for its beautiful red fruits. They might let it climb on trellises or fences, or even allow it to grow naturally among other shrubs. Remember, the berries are not for people to eat, but many different kinds of birds enjoy them! Each berry has a single seed inside. This seed looks a bit like a tiny snail shell and is protected by a hard outer layer.
Images for kids
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Seeds
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Cocculus carolinus with early flowers
