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USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 1: 527. |
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| Robin R. Buckallew @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Smilax herbacea is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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
Nemexia herbacea (L.) Small
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses: Gelatine
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus[85, 102, 159]. A delicate and palatable vegetable[183]. Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc[85, 183]. It should only be used when fully ripe[183]. A pleasant flavour[207, 257]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200]. Root - cooked[257]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereals for making bread etc[62, 102]. It can also be used as a gelatine substitute[62, 102].
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.
Analgesic Antiaphonic Kidney Pectoral Poultice Salve
Eating the fruit is said to be effective in treating hoarseness[207, 257]. The parched and powdered leaves have been used as a dressing on burns[257]. The wilted leaves have been used as a dressing on boils[257]. The root is analgesic[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of back pains, stomach complaints, lung disorders and kidney problems[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[200]. Hardy to about -20°c[200]. A polymorphic species, varying in both leaf shape and growth habit[43, 270]. The flowers are malodorous[200], they smell like dead rats[207]. A vigorous plant, it can be grown through trees or shrubs or over tree stumps[200]. The sub-species S. herbacea nipponicum is used in Japan[61]. This report probably refers to the species S. nipponica[K]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2]. Herbaceous.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[1]. This note probably refers to the tropical members of the genus, seeds of plants from cooler areas seem to require a period of cold stratification, some species taking 2 or more years to germinate[K]. We sow the seed of temperate species in a cold frame as soon as we receive it, and would sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if we could obtain it then[K]. When the seedlings eventually germinate, prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year, though we normally grow them on in pots for 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in early spring as new growth begins[238]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[238].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (south), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,
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 :
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
L.
Botanical References
43200270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Smilax herbacea
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