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Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. |
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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. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1 |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Smilax laurifolia is an evergreen Climber growing to 6 m (19ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. 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
Parillax laurifolia (L.) Raf. S. alba Pursh. S. hastata var. lanceolata (L.) Pursh. S. laurifolia var. bupleurifolia A.DC. S. virginiana Mill.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:
Root - cooked[2, 102, 161, 177]. Rich in starch[46, 105], it can be dried and ground into a powder to be used as a flavouring in soups etc or for making bread[257]. The root can be up to 15cm thick[235]. Young shoots - cooked. Used as an asparagus substitute[2, 46, 102, 161].
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.
Astringent Birthing aid Poultice Rubefacient Tonic
The stem prickles have been rubbed on the skin as a counter-irritant to relieve localised pains, muscle cramps and twitching[222]. A tea made from the leaves and stems has been used in the treatment of rheumatism and stomach problems[222]. The wilted leaves are applied as a poultice to boils[222]. A tea made from the roots is used to help the expelling of afterbirth[222]. Reports that the roots contain the hormone testosterone have not been confirmed, they might contain steroid precursors, however[222]. The root bark is astringent and slightly tonic[257]. An infusion of the root bark has been used as a wash in treating burns, sores and pox[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]. This species is not very hardy in Britain[1]. It succeeds outdoors in S.W. England, but even there it is best when grown against a wall[11]. The fruit takes two growing seasons to ripen[235]. The stems have viscious thorns[270]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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: United States (Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bahamas, Cuba
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
11200270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Smilax laurifolia
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