Plant · GBIF taxon 8099353
peppervine
Nekemias arboreaAlso known as Pepper Vine, Bushy Pepper Vine
Peppervine thrives across the southeastern United States, draping over bushes and scaling forest canopies with sprawling, woody stems. Its broad, doubly compound leaves create dense foliage before producing clusters of dark, glossy berries that attract songbirds in autumn. Dynamic and resilient, this native climber provides valuable wildlife cover while quickly colonizing stream banks and moist, disturbed soils.
Woody VineNativeClimbing Plant
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Northern Cardinal
- Northern Mockingbird
- White-tailed Deer
ThreatsHabitat clearing, invasive weed competition
HabitatsMoist soils, stream banks, bottomland forests, disturbed areas
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderVitales
- FamilyVitaceae
- GenusNekemias
- SpeciesNekemias arborea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Berries contain calcium oxalate and are toxic if ingested; wild berries also have dangerous look-alikes.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for doubly compound leaves with sharply coarsely toothed margins on red-tinged young stems.
- Wildlife Viewing: Watch for foraging mockingbirds and cardinals around berry clusters in late summer and autumn.
- Yard Care: Prune back trailing vines if they begin to smother young garden trees or native shrubs.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.



