Sawbrier Smilax glauca
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Smilax brasiliensis
- Smilax glauca var. genuina
- Smilax glauca var. leurophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- SMEE-laks GLAW-kah
- Description
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Smilax glauca is easily recognized by its glaucous to whitened abaxial leaf surfaces. It is reportedly the weediest species of the genus. The plants tend to be evergreen in the more southern part of the distribution. It is commonly found in dry to mesic forests and woodlands, bottomland and riparian forests, bluffs, prairies, old fields, fencerows, pastures, and roadsides.
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 and tolerates a wide range of soil types.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Smilax
- Species:
- glauca
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Stem prickles have been rubbed on the skin as a counter-irritant to relieve localized pains and muscle cramps. The leaves and stems have been made into tea for the treatment of rheumatism and stomach problems. The wilted leaves have also been applied as a poultice to boils.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. America - New England to Florida, west to Texas, Mexico
- Fire Risk Rating:
- extreme flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Smilax provides cover and protection for many types of birds. Deer, black bears, and rabbits eat the leaves and vines, beavers will eat the roots.
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Edibility:
- The leaves and roots are edible. Roots can be boiled and made into a jelly or dried and ground into a powder and used when making bread. Young shoots in spring can be eaten either raw or cooked and are similar to asparagus in taste. Early American settlers would mix root pulp with molasses and parched corn and allow it to ferment in order to make a type of 'root beer'
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Vine
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dark bluish-black berries with glaucus bloom, 1/3" in diameter, appearing in clusters
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, greenish-yellow with 6 tepals or 6 stamens, blooming in clusters late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are prominently parallel-veined, oblong to narrowly cordate, 2- 4 " long, green or variegated with pale patches above and whitened abaxial leaf surfaces.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Greenish brown
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slender, round, green and often covered with a white waxy bloom, with weak prickles. Thorny stems climb by tendrils.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
