title: Berchemia scandens
text: # Berchemia scandens
  
  Berchemia scandens, commonly called Alabama supplejack, is a species of climbing plant in the buckthorn family. It is native to the central and southern parts of the United States. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including swamps, bottomlands, riparian banks, and upland calcareous areas.
  
  It is a woody vine, with older stems reaching 18 cm in diameter. The strong stems of the plant are often used for wickerwork. It produces flowers in the spring
  
  ## Traditional medicinal uses
  
  The Houma people used a decoction of the aerial parts of the vine for impotency. Other Native Americans used the plant as a blood purifier and the ashes of the vine to treat coughs.
  
  