Cocculus carolinus, commonly called the Carolina coralbead, or snailseed, is a perennial vine of the moonseed family. It is native to North America, where it is found in Mexico and in several states in the United States.
Cocculus carolinus, commonly called Carolina moonseed, is a deciduous, woody vine which climbs with thin twining stems or scrambles along the ground, and primarily occurs in rocky open woods, wood margins, glades, fence rows, roadsides and stream/pond margin. Best ornamental features are its foliage and its attractive red berries in fall. Typically grows 10-12', but may grow larger in the deep South where it is not susceptible to winter dieback. Tiny, greenish-white flowers appear in loose, drooping, terminal and axillary clusters (racemes) in summer, but are insignificant. Flowers give way to loose clusters of bright red, flattened, pea-sized drupes which mature in late summer and persist well into fall. Medium green leaves (to 4" long) are of variable shapes ranging from oval to heart-shaped to triangular.
