Etymology: Smilax: Greek for "clasping"
Plants: climbing, perennial, woody vine up to 25' tall, lower part of stem with needle-like, uneven prickles
Leaves: underside green, parallel veins, broadly oval with a blunt point, edges with tiny teeth
Flowers: green to yellowish, 6-parted; inflorescence a few, 1 1/2" loose, rounded umbels from the leaf axils, the stalks much longer than the leaf stalk; blooms May-June
Fruits: dark blue, smooth berry
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, forests, fencerows
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = FAC USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"