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Smilax laurifolia

Previously known as:

  • Smilax lanceolata
  • Smilax roxburghiana
Phonetic Spelling
SMIL-aks law-ree-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Smilax laurifolia commonly called Greenbriar is normally found in coastal bogs, moist lowlands, and low sandy areas but will tolerate dry sites. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant). It is not self-fertile as both male and female plants must be grown to produce berries or seeds.

Its leaves are thick, glossy, and green. It has spiny older stems and 1 to 2' tubers. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.  Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#evergreen#edible plant#wetlands#flower arrangements#showy fruits#fire extreme flammability#herbaceous#NC native#wild turkeys#trellises#dioecious#rhizomes#thickets#floodplain#cutting garden#native vine#screening#marshes#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#vine#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#colonizing#dense growth#food source winter#fence#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#evergreen#edible plant#wetlands#flower arrangements#showy fruits#fire extreme flammability#herbaceous#NC native#wild turkeys#trellises#dioecious#rhizomes#thickets#floodplain#cutting garden#native vine#screening#marshes#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#vine#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#colonizing#dense growth#food source winter#fence#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Smilax
    Species:
    laurifolia
    Family:
    Smilacaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Medicinally, it is used to relieve pains and cramps, sores and burns, rheumatism, and stomach problems
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    US: Gulf and southeast Atlantic coastal plains, Bahamas, Cuba
    Distribution:
    Central New Jersey, south to southern Florida, and west to eastern Texas. Inland, north from the Gulf Coast to Arkansas, and west from the Atlantic Coast to eastern Tennessee.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The dense vine tangles provide nesting and hiding cover for birds and other wildlife. Its fruits are eaten by Black bears, songbirds, ruffed grouse, wide turkeys, and quail. White-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs, especially in the winter.
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Twining
    Edibility:
    The cooked root is rich in starch and can be dried and ground into a powder to be used as a flavoring in soups or for making bread. The young shoots when cooked can be used as a substitute for asparagus.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 to 1/3" in diameter, dark red to black fruit that matures in the fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small round clusters of yellowish-green flowers in late summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Cut
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The lower leaf surface has a prominent midvein, whereas lateral veins are not as prominent, if at all. The leaves appear to be held vertically. Bright green foliage makes good greenery for flower arrangments.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    It begins green but eventually turns brownish-red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green to brown-green, round or slightly angled, thorny, tendrils present.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Security
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns