I live in Dallas Texas area. this stuff grows all over the place. Its grows in like a thicket, The shaft is woody and very flexable when green and very dense. No pith in the center. The plants on the outside of the thicket have leaves growing along the entire length of the plant, but inside the thicket the shafts are bare. The bark is smooth with whitish blotches. The leaves are small with small green berries. I cut a bundle for arrows, and found one that's thick enough bow a bow. thanks for the help.