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Summary
Mexican Sarsaparilla, Smilax aristolochiifolia, is a perennial climbing plant native to Mexico and Central America. It is also known as gray sarsaparilla or sarsaparilla. Its leaves are ovate, paper-like, leathery, and alternate. The fruits are small red berries with 2 or 3 seeds. The flowers are small and green, readily symmetrical, and dioecious. S. aristolochiifolia is medicinally used against inflammation, itching, digestive problems, fevers, kidney disorders, gonorrhea, scrofulous, skin diseases, and rheumatism. Root extracts are used as flavoring in beverages, ice cream, confectioneries, and bakery products.
Physical Characteristics
Smilax aristolochiifolia is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 5 m (16ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Smilax kerberi F.W.Apt Smilax medica Schltdl. & Cham.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses: Condiment
Root extracts are used to flavour soft drinks ice cream, confectionery and bakery products[238 , 301 ]. A bitter, liquorice-like root[301 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Acrid Alterative Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antiseptic Digestive Febrifuge Kidney
Skin
Mexican sarsaparilla (the roots and rhizome) is a sweet, acrid, alterative herb that reduces inflammation, controls itching, improves digestion and elimination and is antiseptic[238 ]. This is one of three species (the others are S. Febrifuga and S. Regelii) that gained a high reputation in the 17th century as cure-alls[238 ]. They were widely imported into Europe until early in the 20th century, by which time their rather overrated reputation had waned somewhat. However, the plants do have a number of important medicinal benefits - in particular, their roots contain steroidal saponins which are an effective treatment for many cases of psoriasis; they also have hormonal effects, and may improve fertility in women with ovarian dysfunction[238 ]. The rhizomes are alterative, digestive, febrifuge[46 , 238 ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of fevers, digestive disorders, kidney troubles and gonorrhoea[46 ]. It is also used against scrophulus, skin diseases and rheumatism[46 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Other Uses: None known
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed -
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
american sarsaparilla, gray sarsaparilla, mexican sarsaparilla, mexiko-sarsaparille, salsapariglia smilace, salsaparrilha, salsaparrilha de minas de gerais, salsaparrilha do mexico, salsaparrilha do para, salsepareille, salsepareille du mexique, sarsaparilla, sarsaparilla radix, ushba, ushba maghrabi, vera cruz sarsaparilla, veracruz sarsaparilla, wild liquorice, zarzaparilla.
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Belize, Guatemala
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Mill.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Smilax aristolochiifolia
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