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| habit--snailseed vines can become quite extensive | leaf--in many cases Cocculus carolinus is easily recognized because its leaves look like an elephant's head... |
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| ...however, sometimes the leaves can appear nearly unlobed, so be careful! The leaves of snailseed are always covered with a layer of soft hairs, unlike many of the other species it could be confused with (ie, Smilax bona-nox), making this a useful identifying character if you are unsure. Also, Smilax has tendrils and prickles. | flower and flower buds--these flowers are very small and appear in the late spring and summer |
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| fruit - in the late fall. | the fruit are borne in clusters in the leaf axils |
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| the seed - inside the fruit (a drupe), the seed is protected by the hard endocarp (inner section of the ovary wall). Can you see where the common name "Snailseed" comes from? | |
