Supple Jack,

Supple Jack, a name given in the southern United States to the Berchemia volubilis, a twining shrub of the natural order Rhamnaceæ, which is found as far north as Virginia. It has oval leaves, small flowers, and violet-coloured berries. Some of the tropical American Paullinias are also called Supple Jack. The same name is also given in the West Indies and tropical America to Serjania (or Seriana) triternata, a shrub of the natural order Sapindaceæ (q.v.), with a long, flexile, woody stem, which climbs to the tops of the highest trees, and is used for walking-sticks.