Etymology: Smilax: Greek for "clasping"
Plants: perennial, herbaceous vine climbing to 8 1/2' tall, tendrils from almost all leaf axils, no prickles
Leaves: more than 25, evenly distributed, underside finely hairy and paler than upper leaf surface, parallel veins; end rounded, blunt or with a short point
Flowers: green to yellowish, 6-parted; inflorescence with up to 30 flowers in the many 1 1/2" ball-like umbels from the leaf axils, the long stalks 2-3 times as long as the leaf stalks; blooms May-June
Fruits: dark blue, smooth berry in round clusters
Habitat: moist; woods, fencerows
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos