Editing Smilax

{{short description|Genus of flowering plants in the family Smilacaceae}}
{{for|another plant sometimes called smilax|Asparagus asparagoides{{!}}''Asparagus asparagoides''}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image = Smilax aspera.jpg
|image_caption = Mediterranean smilax (''[[Smilax aspera|S. aspera]]'') in fruit
|taxon = Smilax
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
|subdivision = About 300–350 (''see [[#List of species|list]]'')
|synonyms_ref = <ref name=e/>
|synonyms = *''Nemexia'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Parillax'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Aniketon'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Dilax'' <small>Raf.</small>
*''Coprosmanthus'' <small>Kunth</small>
*''Pleiosmilax'' <small>Seem.</small>
*''Sarsaparilla'' <small>Kuntze</small>
|type_species = ''[[Smilax aspera]]''
|type_species_authority = L.
}}

'''''Smilax''''' is a genus of about 300–350 [[species]], found in the [[tropics]] and [[subtropic]]s worldwide.<ref name=e>[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/synonomy.do?name_id=287300 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]</ref> They are climbing [[flowering plant]]s, many of which are woody and/or thorny, in the [[monocotyledon]] [[family (biology)|family]] [[Smilacaceae]], native throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. 
Common names include '''catbriers''', '''greenbriers''', '''prickly-ivys''' and '''smilaxes'''. ''Sarsaparilla'' (also zarzaparrilla, sarsparilla) is a name used specifically for the [[Neotropical realm|Neotropical]] ''[[Smilax ornata|S. ornata]]'' as well as a catch-all term in particular for American species. Occasionally, the non-woody species such as the [[Smilax herbacea|smooth herbaceous greenbrier]] (''S. herbacea'') are separated as genus ''Nemexia''; they are commonly known by the rather ambiguous name [[carrion flower|''carrion flowers'']].

Greenbriers get their [[scientific name]] from the Greek myth of [[Crocus (mythology)|Crocus]] and the [[nymph]] [[Smilax (mythology)|Smilax]].<ref>Mifsud (2002)</ref> Though this myth has numerous forms, it always centers around the unfulfilled and tragic love of a [[Human|mortal]] man who is turned into [[crocus|a flower]], and a woodland nymph who is transformed into a brambly vine.

== Description ==

On their own, ''Smilax'' plants will grow as shrubs, forming dense impenetrable thickets. They will also grow over trees and other plants up to 10&nbsp;m high, their hooked thorns allowing them to hang onto and scramble over branches. The genus includes both [[deciduous]] and [[evergreen]] species. The [[leaf|leaves]] are heart shaped and vary from 4–30&nbsp;cm long in different species.

Greenbrier is [[plant sexuality|dioecious]]. However, only about one in three colonies have plants of both sexes. Plants flower in May and June with white–green clustered [[flower]]s. If [[pollination]] occurs, the plant will produce a bright red to blue-black spherical [[berry (botany)|berry]] [[fruit]] about 5–10&nbsp;mm in diameter that matures in the fall (autumn).

[[Extrafloral nectaries]] have been reported on the apex and lower side of the leaf of ''S. bracteata''.<ref>{{cite journal |date=2012-10-18 |first1=Marjorie G. |last1=Weber |first2=Kathleen H. |last2=Keeler |title=The phylogenetic distribution of extrafloral nectaries in plants |pages=1251–1261 |doi=10.1093/aob/mcs225 |journal=Annals of Botany |eissn=1095-8290 |volume=111 |issue=6|pmid=23087129 |pmc=3662505 }}</ref>

== Taxonomy ==

The genus has traditionally been considered as divided into a number of [[Section (botany)|sections]], but [[molecular phylogenetic]] studies reveals that these morphologically defined subdivisions are not [[monophyletic]]. Subdivision is best considered in terms of [[clades]] (A–D), corresponding to [[biogeography]], with the main divisions being Old World (clades C, D) and New World (clade B) with the exception of ''[[Smilax aspera|S. aspera]]'', that appears to be [[Sister group|sister]] to all other species (clade A) and has a tri-continental [[disjunction]].{{sfn|Qi et al|2013}}

Section ''Smilax'' includes "[[woody plant|woody]]",{{efn|Being a [[monocot]], members of the family Smilacacea can not lay down true [[wood]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}}} prickly [[vine]]s of temperate North America, for example cat greenbrier (''[[Smilax glauca|S. glauca]]'') and common greenbrier (''[[Smilax rotundifolia|S. rotundifolia]]'').<ref name = fnaec2002>FNAEC (2002)</ref> [[Smilax sect. Nemexia|Section ''Nemexia'']] includes unarmed [[herbaceous plant]]s of temperate North America, for example "[[carrion flower]]s" like the smooth herbaceous greenbrier (''[[Smilax herbacea|S. herbacea]]'').<ref name = fnaec2002 /> Section ''[[Heterosmilax]]'' represents a previous separate genus that was found to be embedded within Smilax, and was reduced to a section within it.{{sfn|Qi et al|2013}}

=== {{anchor|List of species}}List of selected species ===
{{See also|List of Smilax species}}
{{Div col}}
* ''[[Smilax aberrans]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax aculeatissima]]'' <small>Conran</small>
* ''[[Smilax amblyobasis]]'' <small>K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax ampla]]'' <small>Warb. ex K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax anceps]]'' <small>[[Willd.]]</small>
* ''[[Smilax anguina]]'' <small>K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax annulata]]'' <small>Warb. ex K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax aquifolium]]'' <small>Ferrufino & Greuter</small>
* ''[[Smilax arisanensis]]'' <small>Hayata</small>
* ''[[Smilax aristolochiifolia]]'' <small>[[Philip Miller|Mill.]]</small> &ndash; American sarsaparilla <!-- "aristolochiaefolia" is misspelling-->
* ''[[Smilax aspera]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; Mediterranean smilax, common smilax, rough smilax
* ''[[Smilax aspericaulis]]''<small>Wall. ex A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax assumptionis]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax astrosperma]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax auriculata]]'' <small>Walter</small>
* ''[[Smilax australis]]'' <small>[[Robert Brown (Scottish botanist from Montrose)|R.Br.]]</small> &ndash; lawyer vine, barbwire vine, wait-a-while ([[Australia]])
* ''[[Smilax azorica]]'' <small>H.Schaef. & P.Schönfelder</small>
* ''[[Smilax bapouensis]]'' <small>H.Li</small>
* ''[[Smilax basilata]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax bauhinioides]]'' <small>Kunth</small> 
* ''[[Smilax bella]]'' <small>J.F.Macbr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax biflora]]'' <small>Siebold ex Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax biltmoreana]]'' <small>(Small) J.B.Norton ex Pennell</small>
* ''[[Smilax biumbellata]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax blumei]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax bockii]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax bona-nox]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; saw greenbrier
* ''[[Smilax borneensis]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax bracteata]]'' <small>Presl</small>
* ''[[Smilax brasiliensis]]'' <small>Sprengel.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax californica]]'' <small>(A.DC.) A.Gray</small> 
* ''[[Smilax calophylla]]'' <small>Wall. ex A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax cambodiana]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax campestris]]'' <small>Griseb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax canariensis]]'' <small>Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax canellifolia]]'' <small>Mill.</small>
* ''[[Smilax celebica]]'' <small>Blume</small>
* ''[[Smilax chapaensis]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax china]]'' <small>L.</small>
* ''[[Smilax chingii]]'' <small>F.T. Wang & Ts.Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax cinnamomea]]'' <small>Desf. ex A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax cissoides]]'' <small>M.Martens & Galeotti</small> 
* ''[[Smilax cocculoides]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax cognata]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax compta]]'' <small>(Killip & C.V.Morton) Ferrufino</small>
* ''[[Smilax corbularia]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax cordato-ovata]]'' <small>Rich.</small>
* ''[[Smilax cordifolia]]'' <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax coriacea]]'' <small>Spreng.</small>
* ''[[Smilax cristalensis]]'' <small>Ferrufino & Greuter</small>
* ''[[Smilax cuprea]]'' <small>Ferrufino & Greuter</small>
* ''[[Smilax cuspidata]]'' <small>Duhamel</small>
* ''[[Smilax cyclophylla]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax darrisii]]'' <small>H.Lév.</small>
* ''[[Smilax davidiana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax densibarbata]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax discotis]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax domingensis]]'' <small>Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ecirrhata]]'' <small>(Engelm. ex Kunth) S.Wats.</small>
* ''[[Smilax elastica]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax elegans]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
* ''[[Smilax elegantissima]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax elmeri]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax elongatoumbellata]]'' <small>Hayata</small>
* ''[[Smilax emeiensis]]'' <small>J.M.Xu</small>
* ''[[Smilax erecta]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax excelsa]]'' <small>L.</small>
* ''[[Smilax extensa]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ferox]]'' <small>Wall. ex Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax flavicaulis]]'' <small>Rusby</small>
* ''[[Smilax fluminensis]]'' <small>Steud.</small>
* ''[[Smilax fooningensis]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax gagnepainii]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax gigantea]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax gigantocarpa]]'' <small>Koord.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax glabra]]'' <small>Roxb.</small> &ndash; chinaroot, ''{{lang|zh-latn-pinyin|tufuling}}'' ({{lang|zh|土茯苓}})
* ''[[Smilax glauca]]'' <small>Walter</small> &ndash; cat greenbrier, glaucous greenbrier
* ''[[Smilax glaucochina]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax glyciphylla]]'' <small>[[James Edward Smith (botanist)|Sm.]]</small> &ndash; sweet sarsaparilla, native sarsaparilla ([[Australia]])
* ''[[Smilax goyazana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax gracilior]]'' <small>Ferrufino & Greuter</small>
* ''[[Smilax griffithii]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax guianensis]]'' <small>Vitman</small>
* ''[[Smilax guiyangensis]]'' <small>C.X.Fu & C.D.Shen</small>
* ''[[Smilax havanensis]]'' <small>Jacq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax hayatae]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax hemsleyana]]'' <small>Craib.</small>
* ''[[Smilax herbacea]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; smooth herbaceous greenbrier, carrion flower (southern [[Quebec]] in [[Canada]], [[Eastern United States]])
* ''[[Smilax hilariana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax horridiramula]]'' <small>Hayata</small>
* ''[[Smilax hugeri]]'' <small>(Small) J.B.Norton ex Pennell</small>
* ''[[Smilax hypoglauca]]'' <small>Benth.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ilicifolia]]'' <small>Desv. ex Ham.</small>
* ''[[Smilax illinoensis]]'' <small>Mangaly</small> &ndash; Illinois greenbrier
* ''[[Smilax indosinica]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax inversa]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax irrorata]]'' <small>Mart. ex Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax jamesii]]'' <small>G.Wallace</small>
* ''[[Smilax japicanga]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax javensis]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax kaniensis]]'' <small>K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax keyensis]]'' <small>Warb. ex K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax kingii]]'' <small>Hook.f.</small>
* ''[[Smilax klotzschii]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax korthalsii]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax kwangsiensis]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax lanceifolia]]'' <small>Roxb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax lappacea]]'' <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax larvata]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax lasioneura]]'' <small>Hook.</small> &ndash; herbaceous greenbrier
* ''[[Smilax lasseriana]]'' <small>Steyerm.</small>
* ''[[Smilax laurifolia]]'' <small>L.</small>
* ''[[Smilax lebrunii]]'' <small>H.Lév.</small>
* ''[[Smilax leucophylla]]'' <small>Blume</small>
* ''[[Smilax ligneoriparia]]'' <small>C.X.Fu & P.Li</small>
* ''[[Smilax ligustrifolia]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax loheri]]'' <small>Merr</small>
* ''[[Smilax longifolia]]'' <small>Rich.</small>
* ''[[Smilax lucida]]''<small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax luei]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax lunglingensis]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax lushuiensis]]'' <small>S.C.Chen</small>
* ''[[Smilax lutescens]]'' <small>Vell.</small>
* ''[[Smilax luzonensis]]'' <small>Presl</small>
* ''[[Smilax macrocarpa]]'' <small>Blume</small>
* ''[[Smilax magnifolia]]'' <small>J.F.Macbr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax mairei]]'' <small>Lev.</small>
* ''[[Smilax malipoensis]]'' <small>S.C.Chen</small>
* ''[[Smilax maritima]]'' <small>Feay ex Alph.Wood</small>
* ''[[Smilax maypurensis]]'' <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax megacarpa]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax megalantha]]'' <small>C.H.Wright</small>
* ''[[Smilax melanocarpa]]'' <small>Ridl.</small>
* ''[[Smilax melastomifolia]]'' <small>Sm.</small> &ndash; ''hoi kuahiwi'' ([[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]])
* ''[[Smilax menispermoidea]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax microchina]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax microphylla]]'' <small>C.H.Wright</small>
* ''[[Smilax minarum]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax minutiflora]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax modesta]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax mollis]]'' <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax moranensis]]'' <small>Mart. & Galeotti</small>
* ''[[Smilax munita]]'' <small>S.C.Chen</small>
* ''[[Smilax muscosa]]'' <small>Toledo</small>
* ''[[Smilax myosotiflora]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax myrtillus]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax nageliana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax nana]]'' <small>F.T.Wang</small>
* ''[[Smilax nantoensis]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax neocaledonica]]'' <small>Schltr</small>
* ''[[Smilax nervomarginata]]'' <small>Hayata</small>
* ''[[Smilax nigrescens]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax nipponica]]'' <small>Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax nova-guineensis]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax obliquata]]'' <small>Duhamel</small>
* ''[[Smilax oblongata]]'' <small>Sw.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ocreata]]'' <small>DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax odoratissima]]'' <small>Blume</small>
* ''[[Smilax officinalis]]'' <small>Kunth</small> 
* ''[[Smilax orbiculata]]'' <small>Labill.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ornata]]'' <small>Lem.</small>
* ''[[Smilax orthoptera]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax outanscianensis]]'' <small>Pamp.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ovalifolia]]'' <small>Roxb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax ovatolanceolata]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax pachysandroides]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax paniculata]]'' <small>M.Martens & Galeotti</small>
* ''[[Smilax papuana]]'' <small>Lauterb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax perfoliata]]'' <small>Lour.</small>
* ''[[Smilax petelotii]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax pilcomayensis]]'' <small>Guagl. & S.Gattuso</small>
* ''[[Smilax pilosa]]'' <small>Andreata & Leoni</small>
* ''[[Smilax pinfaensis]]'' <small>H.Lév. & Vaniot</small> 
* ''[[Smilax plurifurcata]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax poilanei]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax polyacantha]]'' <small>Wall. ex Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax polycolea]]'' <small>Warb.</small>
* ''[[Smilax populnea]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax pottingeri]]'' <small>Prain</small>
* ''[[Smilax pseudochina]]'' <small>L.</small> - false chinaroot
* ''[[Smilax pulverulenta]]'' <small>Michx.</small>
* ''[[Smilax pumila]]'' <small>Walter</small>
* ''[[Smilax purhampuy]]'' <small>Ruiz</small>
* ''[[Smilax purpurata]]'' <small>G.Forst.</small>
* ''[[Smilax pygmaea]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax quadrata]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax quadrumbellata]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax quinquenervia]]'' <small>[[Vell.]]</small>
* ''[[Smilax remotinervis]]'' <small>Hand.-Mazz</small>.
* ''[[Smilax retroflexa]]'' <small>(F.T.Wang & Tang) S.C.Chen</small>
* ''[[Smilax riparia]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax rotundifolia]]'' <small>L.</small> - common greenbrier (Eastern United States)
* ''[[Smilax rubromarginata]]'' <small>K.Krause</small>
* ''[[Smilax rufescens]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax ruiziana]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax salicifolia]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax sanguinea]]'' <small>Posada-Ar.</small>
* ''[[Smilax santaremensis]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax saulensis]]'' <small>J.D.Mitch.</small>
* ''[[Smilax schomburgkiana]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax scobinicaulis]]'' <small>C.H.Wright</small>
* ''[[Smilax sebeana]]'' <small>Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax setiramula]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax setosa]]'' <small>Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax sieboldii]]'' <small>Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax sinclairii]]'' <small>T.Koyama</small>
* ''[[Smilax siphilitica]]'' <small>Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.</small>
* ''[[Smilax solanifolia]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax spicata]]'' <small>[[Vell.]]</small>
* ''[[Smilax spinosa]]'' <small>Mill.</small>
* ''[[Smilax spissa]]'' <small>Killip & C.V.Morton</small>
* ''[[Smilax spruceana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small>
* ''[[Smilax stans]]'' <small>Maxim.</small>
* ''[[Smilax stenophylla]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax subinermis]]'' <small>C.Presl</small>
* ''[[Smilax subpubescens]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax subsessiliflora]]'' <small>Poir.</small>
* ''[[Smilax synandra]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax talbotiana]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax tamnoides]]'' <small>L.</small> - halberd-leaved greenbrier
* ''[[Smilax tetraptera]]'' <small>Schltr</small>
* ''[[Smilax timorensis]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax tomentosa]]'' <small>Kunth</small> 
* ''[[Smilax trachypoda]]'' <small>J.B.Norton</small> 
* ''[[Smilax trinervula]]'' <small>Miq.</small>
* ''[[Smilax tsinchengshanensis]]'' <small>F.T.Wang</small>
* ''[[Smilax tuberculata]]'' <small>C.Presl</small>
* ''[[Smilax turbans]]'' <small>F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax utilis]]'' <small>C.H.Wright</small>
* ''[[Smilax vaginata]]'' <small>Decne.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax vanchingshanensis]]'' <small>(F.T.Wang & Tang) F.T.Wang & Tang</small>
* ''[[Smilax velutina]]'' <small>Killip & C.V.Morton</small>
* ''[[Smilax verrucosa]]'' <small>Griseb.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax verticalis]]'' <small>Gagnep.</small>
* ''[[Smilax vitiensis]]'' <small>(Seem.) A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax wallichii]]'' <small>Kunth</small>
* ''[[Smilax walteri]]'' <small>Pursh.</small>
* ''[[Smilax wightii]]'' <small>A.DC.</small> 
* ''[[Smilax williamsii]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
* ''[[Smilax yunnanensis]]'' <small>S.C.Chen</small>
* ''[[Smilax zeylanica]]'' <small>L.</small>
{{Div col end}}

== Distribution and habitat ==

The genus has a pantropical distribution, extending into adjacent temperate zones to north and south. 29 species are recognized in Central America and the Caribbean, while there are 20 species in North America north of [[Mexico]].<ref>{{eFloras|1|130567|Smilax|family=Smilacaceae|first=Walter C.|last=Holmes}}</ref><ref>Raven & Zhengyi (2000), FNAEC (2002)</ref> In [[China]], there are 80 species (39 of which are [[Endemism|endemic]]).<ref>{{eFloras|2|130567|Smilax|family=Liliaceae<!-- sic -->|last1=Chen|first1=Xinqi<!-- surname first? -->|first2=Tetsuo|last2=Koyama}}</ref> 

== Ecology ==

The berry is rubbery in texture and has a large, spherical seed in the center. The fruit stays intact through winter, when [[bird]]s and other animals eat them to survive. The seeds are passed unharmed in the animal's droppings. Since many ''Smilax'' colonies are single clones that have spread by [[rhizome]]s, both sexes may not be present at a site, in which case no fruit is formed.

''Smilax'' is a very damage-tolerant plant capable of growing back from its rhizomes after being cut down or burned down by [[wildfire|fire]]. This, coupled with the fact that birds and other small animals spread the seeds over large areas, makes the plants very hard to get rid of.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/me/stats/post/7935b07c51b0 |title=Sisyphus cut smilax |last=Lubar |first=Steven |date=2017 |website=Medium |access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref> It grows best in moist woodlands with a [[soil pH]] between 5 and 6. The seeds have the greatest chance of germinating after being exposed to a freeze.

[[File:Kaniska canace on Smilax china 07i1804.jpg|thumb|[[Kaniska canace|Blue admiral]] (''Kaniska canace'') [[caterpillar]] on China smilax (''[[Smilax china|S. china]]'')]]
Besides their berries providing an important food for birds and other animals during the winter, greenbrier plants also provide shelter for many other animals. The thorny thickets can effectively protect small animals from larger [[predator]]s who cannot enter the prickly tangle. [[Deer]] and other [[herbivorous]] [[mammal]]s will eat the foliage, as will some [[invertebrate]]s such as [[Lepidoptera]] ([[butterflies]] and [[moth]]s), which also often drink [[nectar]] from the flowers. Beetles too are known to consume leaves.<ref>Nishida, K., L. Ferrufino-Acosta, & C.S. Chaboo. 2020. A new host plant family for Cassidinae s.l.: Calyptocephala attenuata (Spaeth, 1919) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Spilophorini) on Smilax (Smilacaceae) in Costa Rica. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 96(4): 263–267.</ref>

Among the Lepidoptera utilizing ''Smilax'' are [[Hesperiidae]] like the [[Tagiades litigiosa|water snow flat]] (''Tagiades litigiosa''), [[Pieridae]] like the [[Eurema smilax|small grass yellow]] (''Eurema smilax''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.life.illinois.edu/hanks/pdfs/Tooker%20et%20al%20AESA%2095.pdf|title=Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois|author1=John F. Tooker |author2=Peter F. Reagel|author3=Lawrence M. Hanks|name-list-style=amp|date=2002|website=life.illinois.edu}}</ref><!-- possibly the name is unrelated to the plant --> or moths like the peculiar and sometimes [[flightless]] genus ''[[Thyrocopa]]''. But particularly fond of greenbriers are certain [[Nymphalidae]] caterpillars, for example those of:
* ''[[Faunis]]'' &ndash; faun butterflies
* ''Kaniska canace'' &ndash; [[blue admiral]] (on China smilax, ''[[Smilax china|S. china]]'')
* ''Phalanta phalantha'' &ndash; [[common leopard]] (on ''[[Smilax tetragona|S. tetragona]]'')

== Uses ==
[[File:Diosgenin planar.png|thumb|left|[[Diosgenin]] is found in ''[[Smilax menispermoidea|S. menispermoidea]]'']]
[[File:Smilax aristolochiifolia - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-130.jpg|thumb|American sarsaparilla (''[[Smilax aristolochiifolia|S. aristolochiifolia]]'') from ''[[Köhler's Medicinal Plants]]'']]
An extract from the roots of some species &ndash; most significantly [[Smilax ornata|Jamaican sarsaparilla]] (''S. ornata'') &ndash; is used to make the sarsaparilla drink and other [[root beer]]s, as well as herbal drinks like the popular [[Baba Roots]] from [[Jamaica]]. Two species, ''S. domingensis'' and ''S. havanensis'', are used in a traditional soda-like Cuban beverage called pru.<ref>{{cite book | last = Katz | first = Sandor | title = The Art of Fermentation | year = 2012 | publisher = Chelsea Green | pages = 162–163 | isbn = 978-1-60358-286-5}}</ref> The roots may also be used in soups or stews. The young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and are said to taste like [[asparagus]], and the berries can be eaten both raw and cooked. Stuffed smilax pancake, or ''[[fúlíng jiābǐng]]'' ({{zh|t=茯苓夾餅| s=茯苓夹饼}}), is a traditional snack from the [[Beijing]] region. ''[[Smilax glabra|S. glabra]]'' is used in [[Chinese herbology]]. It is also a key ingredient in the Chinese medical dessert ''[[guīlínggāo]]'', which makes use of its property to set certain kinds of [[Gelatin|jelly]].

The powdered roots of Jamaican sarsaparilla are known as ''Rad. Sarzae. Jam.'' in [[pharmacy]] and are used as a traditional medicine for [[gout]] in [[Latin America]]n countries. ''[[Köhler's Medicinal Plants]]'' of 1887 discusses the American sarsaparilla (''[[Smilax aristolochiifolia|S. aristolochiifolia]]''), but as early as about 1569, in his treatise devoted to [[syphilis]], the [[Persia]]n scholar [[Imad al-Din Mahmud ibn Mas‘ud Shirazi]] gave a detailed evaluation of the medical properties of chinaroot.<ref>F. Speziale, 'Introduction', 9; H. Tadjbakhshi, 'Hôpitaux et médecins avicenniens en Iran à l'époque savafide', 27-28 in Fabrizio Speziale (ed.), Hospitals in Iran and India. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2012</ref>

[[Diosgenin]], a [[steroid]]al [[sapogenin]], is reported from ''[[Smilax menispermoidea|S. menispermoidea]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it/files/newsletter/2011/vol1/073.mirulanini.pdf|title=Novel Effects of Diosgenin – A Plant Derived Steroid; A Review|author=S.Mirunalini|author2=Shahira|name-list-style=amp|date=2011|website=PhOL - PharmacologyOnLine}}</ref> Other active compounds reported from various greenbrier species are [[parillin]] (also [[sarsaparillin]] or [[smilacin]]), [[sarsapic acid]], [[sarsapogenin]] and [[sarsaponin]].{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

Due to the nectar-rich flowers, species like ''[[Smilax aristolochiifolia|S. aristolochiifolia]]'', [[Smilax bona-nox|''S. bona-nox'']], [[Smilax tamnoides|''S. tamnoides'']] (''S. medica'' is a synonym for all three of these species) and ''[[Smilax officinalis|S. officinalis]]'' are also useful [[honey plant]]s.

A common floral decoration sometimes called "smilax" is ''[[Asparagus asparagoides]]'',<ref>{{cite web | title = smilax | url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smilax | work = Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary}}</ref><ref>[http://www.yourdictionary.com/smilax smilax] at yourdictionary.com</ref> which may look similar to real ''Smilax'' but is not closely related.

In 18th-century [[England]], a type of beer called china-ale was made by infusing [[Smilax glabra|china-root]] (''S. glabra'') and [[coriander]] seeds in ale.<ref>{{cite book |title=The London and Country Brewer 3rd ed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=63FZAAAAYAAJ |author=Ellis, William |year=1737 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=63FZAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA30 30] (The third Part) |publisher=London: Printed for J. and J. Fox}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Smilax bona-nox.jpg|Smilax bona-nox 
File:Smilax aspera 1652.JPG|Smilax aspera 
File:Smilax aspera (leaf).jpg|Smilax aspera 
Image:Smilax china 08b2113.jpg|China smilax (''[[Smilax china|S. china]]''), unripe fruit
Image:Smilax herbacea.png|The "[[carrion flower]]", ''[[Smilax herbacea|S. herbacea]]''
Image:Smilax melastomifolia 020808-0053.jpg|''[[Smilax melastomifolia|S. melastomifolia]]'', called ''hoi kuahiwi'' on [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]]
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Ferrufino-Acosta |first1=Lilian |title=Taxonomic revision of the genus Smilax (Smilacaceae) in Central America and the Caribbean Islands |journal=[[Willdenowia (journal)|Willdenowia]] |date=2010 |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=227–280 |doi=10.3372/wi.40.40208 |jstor=27896656 |s2cid=85284808 |issn=0511-9618|doi-access=free |bibcode=2010Willd..40..227F }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Qi |first1=Zhechen |last2=Cameron |first2=Kenneth M. |last3=Li |first3=Pan |last4=Zhao |first4=Yunpeng |last5=Chen |first5=Shichao |last6=Chen |first6=Guangcun |last7=Fu |first7=Chengxin |title=Phylogenetics, character evolution, and distribution patterns of the greenbriers, Smilacaceae (Liliales), a near-cosmopolitan family of monocots |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263238692|journal=[[Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society]] |date=December 2013 |volume=173 |issue=4 |pages=535–548 |doi=10.1111/boj.12096|doi-access=free|ref={{harvid|Qi et al|2013}}}}
* Mifsud, Stephen (2002): Wild Plants of Malta & Gozo – [http://www.maltawildplants.com/SMLX/Smilax_aspera.php Mediterranean Smilax]. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikispecies-inline|Smilax (L.)}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q165315}}

[[Category:Smilacaceae]]
[[Category:Liliales genera]]
[[Category:Root vegetables]]
[[Category:Stem vegetables]]
[[Category:Dioecious plants]]
[[Category:Plants with extrafloral nectaries]]

[[ne:कुकुरडाइनो]]