Hi Jim, I think they`re rhizomatous, they germinate like Polygonatum, and Ruscus. I had S. excelsa @ home, but forgotten to water, maybe it is dead... This plant has got semi-evergreen leaves, climbing thorny stems and nice red fruits. Talking about climbers, I`m fan of Dioscorea and Thamus, the latter never germinated, tried fresh seeds 3 times. Jan Oberlin, OH