Laurel-leaved Greenbrier Smilax laurifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Smilax lanceolata
- Smilax roxburghiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- SMIL-aks law-ree-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- It begins green but eventually turns brownish-red.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green to brown-green, round or slightly angled, thorny, tendrils present.
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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
