Smilax rotundifolia

Smilax rotundifolia, also known as roundleaf greenbrier or common greenbrier, or bamboo vine in parts of the South, is a woody vine native to the southeastern and eastern United States and eastern Canada. It is a common and conspicuous part of the natural forest ecosystems in much of its native range. The leaves are glossy green, petioled, alternate, and circular to heart-shaped. They are generally 5–13 cm long. Common greenbrier climbs other plants using green tendrils growing out of the petioles. The stems are rounded and green and are armed with sharp spines. The flowers are greenish white, and are produced from April to August. The fruit is a bluish black berry that ripens in September.

Description

A prickly vine. It is woody and loses many leaves during the year. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are four sided. They are tough and green and become woody after the first year. It grows 10 m long. The branches have long tough tendrils. There are sharp sturdy thorns. The leaves are alternate. They are widest near the base and pointed at the tip. They are leathery, shiny and light brown when young but becoming dark green when older. The flowers are small and light green Male and female flowers are separate. They are in round clusters at the ends of stalks.

Edible Uses

The root is rich in starch and can be cooked, or dried and ground into a powder for use in cakes, puddings, and sweet drinks. It can also be made into a jelly or added to soups. A beer resembling root beer or sarsaparilla is made from the roots. Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked — added to salads or prepared like asparagus.

Traditional Uses

The dried root is used to extract starch. This is used in soups, breads, cakes, puddings, jellies and sweet drinks. The tender young shoots and unrolling leaves are eaten raw in salads. They are also cooked as a vegetable. They are boiled, steamed or pickled. A beer like root beer is made from the roots.

Medicinal Uses

The stem prickles have been rubbed on the skin as a counter-irritant to relieve localised pain, muscle cramps, and twitching. A tea made from the leaves and stems has been used for rheumatism and stomach complaints. Parched, powdered leaves have been applied as a dressing on burns and scalds, and wilted leaves used as a poultice on boils. A tea from the roots is used to assist expulsion of the afterbirth. Reports that the roots contain the hormone testosterone have not been confirmed, though they may contain steroid precursors.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist and dry woods.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, Slovenia, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade. A very free growing plant, it can be used to clamber over large trees, shrubs or tree stumps. Hardy to about -20°c. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Sow seed in March in a warm greenhouse, though this guidance likely applies to tropical members of the genus. Seeds from cooler-climate plants appear to need cold stratification, with some species taking two or more years to germinate. For temperate species, sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is received, or ideally as soon as it is ripe. Once seedlings germinate, prick out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on under glass for at least the first year — normally two years in pots — before planting into permanent positions in early summer. Divide in early spring as new growth begins; larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until established, then planted out in summer. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots can be taken in July and rooted in a frame.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bayou asparagus, Catbrier, Horse-brier, Okroglolistni oponec, Roundleaf Catbrier

References (13)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Duke, J.A., 1992, Handbook of Edible Weeds. CRC Press. p 184
• Elias, T.S. & Dykeman P.A., 1990, Edible Wild Plants. A North American Field guide. Sterling, New York p 65
• Esperanca, M. J., 1988. Surviving in the wild. A glance at the wild plants and their uses. Vol. 1. p 263
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 231

More from Smilacaceae

Smilax maritima

Jackson's brier

Smilax megacarpa

Da guo ba qia

Smilax melastomifolia

Uhi, Ulehihi

Smilax nipponica

Carrion Flower

Smilax ocreata

Smilax officinalis

Honduran sarsaparilla