Smilax maritima
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Smilax smallii
- Phonetic Spelling
- SMY-laks muh-RIT-tim-muh
- Description
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A perennial woody native evergreen vine in the green briar family. It twines and climbs by tendrils. It is not as aggressive, as prickly, or as high a climber as other members of its genus. Shiny evergreen foliage is used by florists in floral arrangements. The upper parts of the vine are essentially prickle-less and easy to handle. It is native to the coastal plains in the Southeast to Texas. This plant prefers acidic moist soils in full to partial sun.
Quick ID
- Evergreen vine with green zig-zag stem
- Stipules usually terminate in curling tendrils
- Lower parts of vine may have prickles
- Leaves are lanceolate, maculate and parallel-veined
- 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:
- maritima
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. U.S.A. to E. Texas
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by birds and mammals
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Twining
- Edibility:
- The tuber is edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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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:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Glaucus purple black berries on long stalks with 2-3 seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Axillary umbles of 5-8 tiny green-yellow flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-4 inch long and 1-2 inches wide glabrous leaves, small amount of hair, simple, entire margins, alternate oblaceolate to oblong with three prominate veins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Bark Description:
- Green, turning greenish-brown on older stems.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Zig-zag green stems become orange-red near the base. Usually smooth glaborus but sometimes have prickles.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
