Shan Ku'ei-lai Smilax glabra
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Smilax blinii
- Smilax calophylla var. concolor
- Smilax dunniana
- Smilax glabra var. maculata
- Smilax hookeri
- Smilax lanceolata
- Smilax mengmaensis
- Smilax trigona
- Phonetic Spelling
- SMIL-aks GLAY-bruh
- Description
-
Smilax glabra is known as Tufuling in traditional Chinese medicine and in Hindu Ayurvedic medicine. The root is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Lab studies suggest that it may have antiviral properties and may stimulate the immune system. However, studies have only been conducted on rats and it is not known if the same effects would occur in humans.
This plant is not readily available in North America. In its native Asian habitats, Smilax glabra grows in trees and over large shrubs, climbing by tendrils that wrap around twigs, branches.
The species is not self-fertile as individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. It spreads primarily by rhizomes..
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Smilax
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The rhizome has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for infections and inflammatory conditions as it is believed to have antioxidant, antiviral, renoprotective, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. In India, fresh roots are made into an extract to treat sores and venereal diseases.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, the Himalayas, and Indochina
- Distribution:
- Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hainan, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a larval host for the moth species Marmara smilacisella.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Twining
- Edibility:
- The cooked root can be dried and ground into a powder. and is rich in starch. Smilax glabra roots taste sweet and are used in a Chinese dessert to set certain types of jelly.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 9 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all 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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Berries are blue-black, 6--10 mm in diam., white powdery (glaucous)
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Male flowers have greenish-white calyx and corolla, slightly 6-angled, barely open/ The outer tepals are broadly obovate-orbicular, Female flowers have inner tepals which are entire at the margin and staminodes.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaf is elliptic- or ovate-lanceolate
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Oval
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stem branched, terete, woody, smooth. Tendrils are well developed.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
