Southern Smilax Smilax smallii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Southern Smilax:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SMEE-laks SMAL-lee-i
- Description
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Smilax smalli commonly called Greenbriar is normally found in coastal bogs, moist lowlands, bottomland forests, and low sandy areas but will tolerate dry sites. Most Greenbriar, or Catbriar, vines are woody, but a few are herbaceous. Many are armed with thorns and most climb via tendrils. Prune it back severely every three years to prevent it from becoming a dense thicket. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. Dioecious: needs a male pollinator to get female fruit set. It only has prickles on the juvenile stems. Good for evergreen screening.
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.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
- 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:
- smallii
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Middle and Eastern U.S.A.
- 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 songbirds, ruffed grouse, wide turkeys, and quail. White-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs, especially in the winter. Pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flower.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Brick red berries eventually turn dark red-black at maturity. In North Carolina, the berries are available from April to June of the following year.
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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:
- Smilax smalli has tiny green flowers in clusters formed in the leaf axils all the way to the ends of branches. Inn North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Shiny, simple, lanceolate to elliptical, smooth (glabrous), with entire margins. The apex is acute and the base is rounded (cuneate).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thorny and often form right angles to the main stem. It only has prickles on the juvenile stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Riparian
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
