Nekemias arborea, commonly known as Pepper Vine, is a deciduous climbing vine native to a variety of habitats in the Southeastern United States, including forest edges, thickets, and along streams. It is also found in Texas and New Mexico. This vine can grow to be quite extensive, often reaching lengths of 30 feet or more when supported. The leaves of Pepper Vine are compound with a glossy appearance, and it produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers in the summer, followed by clusters of dark purple to black, peppercorn-like berries in the fall.

Pepper Vine is valued for its ability to rapidly cover structures and provide a dense screen, making it useful for covering fences, trellises, or arbors. Its berries are attractive to birds and other wildlife, which can help to support local biodiversity. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. It is relatively low-maintenance once established but may require pruning to control its spread. While it is not typically affected by serious pests or diseases, it can become aggressive and may need to be managed to prevent it from overtaking other plants.CC BY-SA 4.0