Nekemias arborea
Nekemias arborea, commonly known as pepper vine, is native to the Southeastern United States, Texas, and New Mexico. It spreads rapidly, climbing up trees and bushes. It prefers moist soils, such as stream banks, and disturbed areas.
Description
It is a deciduous to semi-evergreen vine that can be ground cover-like, but is often high-climbing and bushy. It grows to or more in length.Leaves are alternate, bi-pinnately divided and up to long and wide. There are one to three pairs of leaflets. They are roughly ovate and coarsely toothed, dark green on the upper surface, and lighter on the lower surface. Newly emerged leaves are purple-red and change to a light green to dark green as they reach mature size. Foliage turns pale yellow or red in fall.
Flat-topped clusters of tiny, green flowers are followed by clusters of pea-sized, bluish-purple berries. The fruit is fleshy, up to 5/8 inch in diameter, and black and shiny when ripe. The fruit attracts wildlife, but is possibly poisonous for humans.