Carolina Moonseed

Woody vines and vinelike shrubs that are easy to grow in moist soil. Flowers are not prominent, but foliage is a lovely glossy green.

carolina moonseed

cocculus carolinus

• Woody deciduous or evergreen vine.
• Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
• Deciduous in Upper and Middle South; evergreen in Lower and Coastal South.
• Native from Florida to Virginia and west to Texas.
• Grows rapidly to 1012 feet., climbing by tendrils; needs support.
• Oval, pointed, medium green leaves reach 4 inches long.
• Blooms in spring, with greenish white flowers in 3- to 5 inches-long clusters; blossoms are not as showy as the glossy bright red berries that appear in late summer and fall.
• Gets its common name from its crescent-shaped seeds.
• Tolerates most soils, including alkaline ones.
• Can be weedy and difficult to eradicate.

wild olive

cocculus laurifolius

• Evergreen shrub.
• Zones CS, TS; USDA 9-11.
• Native to the Himalayas.
• Usually multistemmed, with arching, spreading growth; shiny, leathery oblong leaves to 6 inches., with three strongly marked veins running from base to tip.
• Grows slowly at first, then moderately rapidly to 25 feet (or more) tall and wide; can be kept smaller by pruning.
• Long, willowy branches are as easily led and trained as vines; fastened to a trellis, they make an effective screen.
• Can also be trained as an espalier.
• Staked and trained as a tree, the plant takes on an umbrella shape.