What is Cocculus carolinus?
[[File:Cocculus carolinus.jpg|thumb]] '''''Cocculus carolinus''''' otherwise known as ''Carolina Coralbead'', ''Redberry Moonseed'' or the ''Carolina snailseed''. It is indigenous to several states along the [[Southern United States|South]] to [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]]. It gets its name from the bright red color of the marble like berry that protrudes from the leaves of the plant. == Description == The Carolina Coralbead is a [[deciduous]], woody [[vine]] that can twines along the trunks of several [[tree]]s or along the ground. It occurs in timberline areas, rocky woods, glades, fence rows and [[pond]]s. Carolina Coralbead can grow 10–12 ft (3–3.6 m) and usually spaced within 3–4 ft (90–120 cm) of one another. If ingested in large amounts, the berry on Cocculus carolinus can be poisonous, but the overall [[toxic|toxicity]] of its berries do not prove to be fatal. In areas in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], Arkansas, the Carolina Coralbead is referred to as an invasive weed system which seedlings have been spread by birds. Once a root system has been established, it is hard to remove the plant, so planting in new areas has been a point of concern for this plant. The best ornamental features of the plant are its foliage and its attractive red berries in fall. ''Cocculus carolinus'' can grow in temperatures between from -3.8 °C (25 °F) to -28.8 °C (-20 °F). Its leaves are covered in short hairs and should not be confused with the species ''Smilax bona-nox'',which has tendrils and prickles. == Distribution == The Carolina Coralbead has been reported in the following states of [[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Mississippi]], [[North Carolina]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Tennessee]] and [[Texas]]. Locations of the plant range from opening of [[forest]]s, to the beginning of [[stream]]s. == Cultivation == The [[flower]]s are small and plentiful. At a young age, Carolina Coralbead appear greenish. Then plant [[bloom]]s in late [[Spring (season)|spring]]. It matures by late [[summer]]. They grow in tig