Contains 12 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
Classification
Citation
SMILAX Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1028. 1753.
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TYPE: Smilax aspera Linnaeus Lectotypified by Britton & A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S., ed. 2. 1: 527. 1913.
Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Herbarium Specimens | Status | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smilax auriculata | EARLEAF GREENBRIER | Native FACU (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax bona-nox | SAW GREENBRIER | Native FAC (NWPL) AD (WAP) | ||
| Smilax ecirrhata | UPRIGHT CARRIONFLOWER | Native | ||
| Smilax glauca | CAT GREENBRIER; WILD SARSAPARILLA | Native FAC (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax havanensis | EVERGLADES GREENBRIER | Native Threatened-State | ||
| Smilax lasioneuron | BLUERIDGE CARRIONFLOWER | Native | ||
| Smilax laurifolia | LAUREL GREENBRIER; BAMBOO VINE | Native FACW (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax pumila | SARSAPARILLA VINE | Native UPL (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax rotundifolia | BULLBRIER; ROUNDLEAF GREENBRIER | Native FAC (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax smallii | JACKSON VINE; LANCELEAF GREENBRIER | Native FACU (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax tamnoides | BRISTLY GREENBRIER; HOGBRIER | Native FAC (NWPL) | ||
| Smilax walteri | CORAL GREENBRIER | Native OBL (NWPL) |
Identification Key
1. Stems annual, herbaceous, and lacking prickles; petioles 1-9 cm long (shorter on youngest part of stems); peduncle 3.5-14 cm long
2
1. Stems perennial, becoming woody, with prickles (especially at the base of stems) or without prickles; petioles of mature leaves usually 0.1-2 cm long (longer, to 3 cm, at the very base of the stems); peduncle usually <4.5 cm long
3
2. Plant erect, usually <1 m tall; tendrils absent or few and short
2. Plants climbing, usually >1m tall; tendrils numerous
3. Plants usually <1 m tall; stems densely pubescent; leaf blades densely pubescent below
3. Plants usually >1 m tall; stems glabrous; leaf blades glabrous
4
4. Leaf blades strongly glaucous below
4. Leaf blades green to pale green below, not glaucous or only slightly so
5
5. Midvein of the leaf blade underside pronounced, with the lateral veins much less pronounced to somewhat obscure and the reticulate venation obscure
5. Midvein and lateral veins of the leaf blade underside usually relatively similarly pronounced, at least towards the base, the reticulate venation conspicuous
6
6. Prickles at the base of the stem dense and bristly; leaf blade margin with numerous fine, minute prickles, especially toward the basal margin
6. Prickles well-spaced and broad-based, not dense and bristly; leaf blade margin entire or with few coriaceous prickles
7
7. Leaf blade margin with a light-colored cartilaginously thickened band or vein, the margin with or without prickles; peduncle 0.2-6 cm long
8
7. Leaf blade margin thin or not strongly thickened into a light-colored band, the margin without prickles; peduncle 0.5-2.0 cm long
10
8. Inner pair of basal veins of the leaf blade distinct at the base and blending in with the pronounced reticulate venation towards the apex; peduncle 1.5-6 cm long; (leaf blade sometimes variegated, sometimes with prickles, usually widest below the middle; fertile, leafy portion of stem often with straight prickles to ca. 5 mm; berries lustrous to slightly glaucous)
8. Inner pair of basal veins of the mature leaf blade distinct from the base to the apex, distinct and more pronounced than the reticulate venation; peduncle to 0.2-1.6 cm long; (leaf blade either usually widest below the middle, without prickles, and sometimes variegated (S. auriculata) or usually widest near the middle, sometimes with prickles, and not variegated (S. havenensis); fertile, leafy portion of stem usually without prickles (S. auriculata) or often with slightly curved prickles to ca. 2 mm long (S. havenensis); berries glaucous or lustrous)
9
9. Prickles rare on distal fertile and leafy portions of the stem, more common at the stem base; leaf blade often widest below the middle, infrequently widest at or above the middle, occasionally variegated, upper surface with the veins faintly impressed, the margin and midvein without prickles; fruits round, glaucous or lustrous
9. Prickles common on distal fertile and leafy portions of the stem, also common at the stem base; leaf blade widest at the middle, not variegated, upper surface smooth, the margin and midvein below with or without prickles; fruits sometimes pointed at the apex, not glaucous
10. Distal leaf blades with the base acute, the blade margin gradually reduced into the petiole
10. Distal leaf blades with the base truncate, broadly rounded, or cordate, the blade margin sharply reduced into the petiole
11
11. Leaf blade usually ovate to broadly ovate; mature fruit bluish black
11. Leaf blade ovate-lanceolate to broadly ovate; mature fruit orange to red
Genus Synonyms
| Synonym | Full Citation | Basionym | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coprosmanthus | Coprosmanthus (Torrey) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 5: 263. 1850 | BASIONYM: Smilax Linnaeus, [unranked] Coprosmanthus Torrey, Fl. New York 2: 303. 1843. | TYPE: Smilax herbacea Linnaeus 1753. |
| Nemexia | Nemexia Rafinesque, Neogenyton 3. 1825. | TYPE: Non designatus. | |
| Parillax | Parillax Rafinesque, Neogenyton 3. 1825. | TYPE: Non designatus. | |
| Pleiosmilax | Pleiosmilax Seemann, J. Bot. 6: 193, t. 81. 1868. | TYPE: Non designatus. |