How to identify Bay star vine (Schisandra glabra)
Bay star vine, also known as Wild sarsaparilla
Bay star vine is a vine that exhibits a sprawling or twining growth pattern, often extending its reach high into the trees' canopy. This plant's most notable features include its vibrant orange flowers, which contribute to its visual appeal. Although it bears red fruits, these are seldom observed, as their high perch in the woodland makes them elusive to the casual observer. The plant's survival is jeopardized due to competition from aggressive non-native species.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Vine
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Vibrant orange flowers with 5 dark orange and 5 yellow-green tepals, blooming late spring.
Elliptical-ovate to heart-shaped leaves, 1-6 inches long, prominent reticulated veins, turning yellow in fall.
Bright red berries with red-brown seeds, ripe in July-August, glossy surface texture.
Smooth pale brown stem maturing to dark brown, tan hues, 0.5-1 inch diameter.
Flaking dark gray-brown bark resembling aged parchment, layered texture, less than 6 mm thickness.
Bay star vine leaves are elliptical-ovate to heart-shaped, with entire to slightly dentate margins. These leaves generally range from 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) in length and 0.5 to 4 inches (1.3 to 10 cm) in width. They exhibit a smooth texture, and their vein patterns are prominently reticulated. A distinguishing feature is their vibrant yellow color in the fall. These characteristics are essential for identifying bay star vine in various environments.
The flowers of bay star vine bloom from late spring to early summer. Each flower features 5 fleshy dark orange tepals and 5 yellow-green tepals. These flowers typically appear in separate male and female forms. In North Carolina, they bloom from May to June, exhibiting a distinctive arrangement that is crucial for identification. The combination of dark orange and yellow-green tepals makes these flowers particularly recognizable to plant enthusiasts.
The stem of bay star vine is initially pale brown and smooth, offering a sleek appearance in its youth. As it matures, the pith transitions to a dark brown with a continuous texture. The stem's surface may reveal slight tan hues before darkening with age. Thicker and robust in structure, the stem supports a moderate branching pattern, amassing a noticeable dark brown core. The matured tan pith ensures a distinctive identifying feature for plant enthusiasts. Measurements generally range around 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in diameter.
The fruit of bay star vine is a vibrant, bright red berry that ripens from July to August, particularly noted in regions like North Carolina. Each berry encases red-brown seeds, which are a key trait for species identification. These berries typically exhibit a glossy surface texture, contributing to their lustrous appearance. The size and exact shape of the berries are not specified but are important characteristics for enthusiasts to observe during the peak fruiting season.
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Scientific Classification of Bay star vine
