Greenbriar, Saw greenbriar
Smilax bona-nox L.
Liliaceae (Lily family)
Description
Greenbriar is a tough, woody, high-climbing vine in the Lily family. It spreads aggressively from long, slender rhizomes, which are horizontal, usually underground stems that often send out roots and shoots from the nodes.
Along the stems are stout, flattened prickles. The numerous tendrils are used for climbing. The leaves have short petioles (stems) and are hairless and bright green on both sides, with rounded to heart-shaped bases.
The flowers are greenish to bronze, and the berries are green when young and blue-black at maturity, each with two or three seeds.
When greenbriar is young and succulent, its forage value is fair for goats and wildlife.
Habitat
Greenbriar is found trailing over trees, shrubs and fences and in rolling woodlands in Central to East Texas.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: White
Seed Type: Fruit/Berry
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Prickly, Spiny, or Thorny
Growth Habit: Vine
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds
