[1] In 1769, during explorer Lieutenant James Cook's first voyage of discovery, botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander collected specimens of "supplejack" (Ripogonum scandens) in New Zealand.

The species was described in Solander's unpublished manuscript Primitiae Florae Novae Zelandiae and was illustrated by Sydney Parkinson.

Medicinally the supplejack root was boiled to make a drink to help a variety of conditions including rheumatism, fever, disability, bowel problems and skin diseases.

[1] Throughout the North Island, R. scandens is mainly present is lowland and mountainous forests dominated by hardwood and podocarp.

In the South Island, Ripogonum scandens is abundant on the western coast, but does not tend to seep into the forests, instead staying on the seaward facing ranges.

[12] Ripogonum scandens will inhabit a wide range of soil types such as red-brown loams, pumice, yellow brown and alluvial.

[1][12] [13] Once pollination has occurred, either by either an insect or by the wind, the fruit takes approximately 12–15 months to fully ripen.

[14] Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and blackbirds (Turdus merula) are two bird species that consume supplejack fruit.

[19] Sooty mould (Trichopeltheca asiatica) is common across New Zealand and smothers the supplejack leaves and stems, affecting the plant's photosynthetic capability.

[12] Larvae of the moth Ctenopseustis obliquana are found in ripe fruit and will consume the stems, leaves and flowers of the supplejack.