Nephroia spp.

moonseed

Menispermaceae Americas and eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Nephroia spp. is a genus of twining vines in the moonseed family (Menispermaceae), found in the Americas and eastern Asia and including species formerly placed in Cocculus spp.. Plants twine to 3-5 m (10-16 ft) over shrubs, fences, and woodland edges, with slender stems that are woody at the base and die back partly in cold winters. The alternate leaves vary from heart-shaped to lobed, 4-12 cm (1.5-4.5 in) long, often with a slightly leathery feel and a notched or pointed tip. The plants are dioecious, bearing small, greenish-white flowers in loose clusters through summer that are individually inconspicuous. Female vines follow with rounded drupes 5-8 mm (0.2-0.3 in) that ripen bright red or black, each holding a single flattened, crescent- or kidney-shaped seed that gives the family its moonseed name. N. carolina, the Carolina coralbead, is widely recognised across the south-eastern United States. The berries of moonseed vines contain alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten, resembling wild grapes closely enough to be mistaken for them.

Native Range

Nephroia spp. is native to the Americas and eastern Asia. N. carolina ranges through the south-eastern and south-central United States into Mexico, growing along woodland edges, fencerows, thickets, and streambanks. Other species occur in eastern Asia in comparable scrub and forest-margin habitats.

Suggested Uses

Grown on fences and trellises in native and naturalistic plantings for its autumn berries, spaced 1.5-3 m (5-10 ft) apart. The red or black fruit is taken by birds, which spread the seed. The poisonous berries make it unsuited to areas used by young children.

How to Identify

Look for a slender twining vine with alternate heart-shaped to shallowly lobed leaves and small greenish-white flower clusters in summer. The ripe fruit is the surest guide: bright red or black rounded drupes, each holding one flat, coiled, crescent-shaped seed. That moon-shaped seed separates Nephroia spp. from true grapes, whose seeds are pear-shaped.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 16'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Small greenish-white flowers open in loose clusters through summer, mainly June to August. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, so fruit forms only on female vines. Red or black drupes ripen from late summer into autumn and can persist after the leaves fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Mid-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Nephroia spp. grows in full sun to part shade on most moist, free-draining soils across a pH range of about 5.5 to 7.5. It tolerates heat and short dry spells once established and is hardy in roughly USDA zones 6 to 9. Vines twine and need a fence, trellis, or host plant for support. Growth is vigorous, and stems can spread by suckers and seed into nearby ground. Plants need little feeding and resprout after being cut back. The poisonous fruit is a consideration where children or livestock have access.

Pruning

Stems are cut back in late winter while dormant to control spread and clear growth from supports. The vine resprouts readily, so hard pruning is tolerated. Unwanted suckers and seedlings are taken out as they appear.