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Native Plant Society of Texas

Variable Leaf Snailseed

Cocculus diversifolius

Other common name(s):

Correhuela, Snailseed, Mexican Snailseed

Family:

Menispermaceae (Moonseed Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

1
to
30
ft.

Spread

.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Forage, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Fruits ornamental, Blooms ornamental, Twines on fences & other plants. Native habitat: chaparral, palm groves, fencerows, resecas and canyons. They grow in the shade of trees and bushes. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms February-September. A woody, climbing shrub with slender stems. Leaves are leathery, linear to oval, smooth to sparsely pubescent, especially along margins and veins beneath. Flowers are inconspicuous, typically white to yellowish. The fruit is a round drupe, dark purplish black, fleshy.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. This step is optional but recommended for better success rates. Insert the treated end of the cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining propagation mix, such as a combination of peat and perlite. Ensure that the lower nodes are submerged to allow root formation. Place the pot with the cutting in a warm, humid environment, ideally covered with a plastic bag or dome to maintain humidity. Keep the medium consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place it in indirect sunlight. After successful rooting, gradually acclimate the new plant to normal growing conditions by removing the humidity cover. Ensure the rooted cutting is gradually introduced to more direct light. Water the plant regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. The best time to propagate snailseed is during the spring and summer months using cuttings. During these periods, temperatures are warm, and there is ample light, promoting root development and growth. This timing coincides with snailseed's natural growth cycle, enhancing the success rate of propagation efforts.Begin by selecting healthy, mature stems from the snailseed plant. Ensure that the chosen stems are free of disease and pests and approximately 4-6 inches long. Use a sterile, sharp knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a node on the selected stem. Remove any leaves from the lower half of the cutting to reduce moisture loss. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Cocculus_diversifolius.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason