Ripogonum scandens

Ripogonum scandens, (commonly known as supplejack, Māori: kareao, pirita, translated as "twisted rope") is a common rainforest vine native to New Zealand. It can also grow in areas of swamp. Supplejack is a climbing liana, that has hard but flexible stems. It starts its life as a sappy stem searching for a support. Once it finds a shrub or tree to cling onto, it grows upwards to access sunlight, where it then develops branches and leaves. The supplejack flowers from December to February. It however bears clusters of red berries throughout the year. During summer supplejack tips grow 5 centimetres a day, enabling the plant to climb high up into the canopy of the forest.

No narrative description available for this taxon yet.