from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Supple-jack \Sup"ple-jack`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A climbing shrub ({Berchemia volubilus}) of the Southern
United States, having a tough and pliable stem.
(b) A somewhat similar tropical American plant ({Paullinia
Curassavica}); also, a walking stick made from its stem.
[1913 Webster]
He was in form and spirit like a supple-jack, . . .
yielding, but tough; though he bent, he never
broke. --W. Irving.
[1913 Webster]
Note: This name is given to various plants of similar habit
in different British colonies.
[1913 Webster]