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Prickly-ivy (Smilax)
Prickly-ivy comprise of a large and diverse group of woody, climbing shrubs and vines. They are damage tolerant, easily regrowing after being cut or burned by fire. Several species are made into important culinary ingredients used in sodas, soups, and stews and even have edible berries and roots. Prickly-ivy are ecologically important as well - their leaves and berries provide food for insects, birds, and mammals, while their prickly vegetation provides cover for small animals hiding from predators. This genus is named after the woodland nymph Smilax of Greek mythology, who turned into a brambly vine.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Prickly-ivy
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Attributes of Prickly-ivy
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Prickly-ivy
Distribution of Prickly-ivy
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Distribution Map of Prickly-ivy
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Prickly-ivy
Feedback
Prickly-ivy is a genus of perennial, woody vines known for their twining habit and often thorny stems. In general, prickly-ivy requires moderate to bright indirect light, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Temperatures should be kept relatively warm, as prickly-ivy does not tolerate extreme cold. Common challenges include pests such as aphids and scale insects, and potential fungal diseases. Seasonally, prickly-ivy may require more water during active growth in spring and summer, and less in autumn and winter when growth naturally slows.
How to Water Prickly-ivy?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Prickly-ivy?
How to Propagate Prickly-ivy?
How to Plant Prickly-ivy?
Exploring the Prickly-ivy Plants
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8 most common species：
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed (Smilax aspera) is a climbing evergreen vine that is native to the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and central Africa. Its yellowish-green flowers mature into red berries, which then darken until they become nearly black. The berries are an important food source for wild birds.
Saw greenbrier
Saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) is a woody vine that wraps its tendrils around trees, shrubbery, and along the ground. The vine is native to North America and grows throughout the world. Saw greenbrier attracts wild turkeys, squirrels, and songbirds. This species can be differentiated from other similar plants by its leathery, triangular leaves.
Roundleaf greenbrier
Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) is a common and visually noticeable vine that grows throughout woodlands and forests in the eastern United States and Canada. Roundleaf greenbrier is edible and cooked similarly to asparagus and spinach, when cooked. The vine grows berries which are eaten by deer, birds, and rabbits.
Cat greenbrier
Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) is a woodland vine plant native to the central and eastern United States. It is resistant to fire because of the properties of its root structure.
Bristly greenbrier
Bristly greenbrier (Smilax tamnoides) is a deciduous climbing vine that grows in low woods thickets and coastal plains. Bristly greenbrier grows best in full sunlight and semi-shade. It blooms in clusters of greenish-brown flowers from spring to summer. The roots of this plant are edible when cooked dried or ground into powder.
China root
China root (Smilax china) is a tropical climbing plant. It gets both its scientific name and the common name "China root" from the largest country in which it grows wild. It can be best identified growing in its preferred streamside, thicket, and grassy slope habitats when its bright red fruit, which grows in peculiar almost spherical clusters, appears in late fall and early winter.
Earleaf Greenbrier
Earleaf Greenbrier (Smilax auriculata) is an evergreen climbing vine that produces fragrant green flowers from spring to summer followed by clusters of grape-like berries. It grows in full sun or partial shade in moist well-drained soil. Earleaf Greenbrier is a very aggressive grower and can tangle its way into ornamental plantings with roots that are almost impossible to fully extricate from the ground.
Smooth Carrionflower
Smooth Carrionflower (Smilax herbacea) is a herbaceous perennial vine that can grow to be 2.5 m long. Smooth Carrionflower blooms in late spring and early summer. It produces clusters of fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers. The blossoms have a carrion-like scent. This species attracts pollinators and birds and small animals feed on its berries.
All Species of Prickly-ivy
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed (Smilax aspera) is a climbing evergreen vine that is native to the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and central Africa. Its yellowish-green flowers mature into red berries, which then darken until they become nearly black. The berries are an important food source for wild birds.
Saw greenbrier
Saw greenbrier
Saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) is a woody vine that wraps its tendrils around trees, shrubbery, and along the ground. The vine is native to North America and grows throughout the world. Saw greenbrier attracts wild turkeys, squirrels, and songbirds. This species can be differentiated from other similar plants by its leathery, triangular leaves.
Roundleaf greenbrier
Roundleaf greenbrier
Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) is a common and visually noticeable vine that grows throughout woodlands and forests in the eastern United States and Canada. Roundleaf greenbrier is edible and cooked similarly to asparagus and spinach, when cooked. The vine grows berries which are eaten by deer, birds, and rabbits.
Cat greenbrier
Cat greenbrier
Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) is a woodland vine plant native to the central and eastern United States. It is resistant to fire because of the properties of its root structure.
Bristly greenbrier
Bristly greenbrier
Bristly greenbrier (Smilax tamnoides) is a deciduous climbing vine that grows in low woods thickets and coastal plains. Bristly greenbrier grows best in full sunlight and semi-shade. It blooms in clusters of greenish-brown flowers from spring to summer. The roots of this plant are edible when cooked dried or ground into powder.
China root
China root
China root (Smilax china) is a tropical climbing plant. It gets both its scientific name and the common name "China root" from the largest country in which it grows wild. It can be best identified growing in its preferred streamside, thicket, and grassy slope habitats when its bright red fruit, which grows in peculiar almost spherical clusters, appears in late fall and early winter.
Earleaf Greenbrier
Earleaf Greenbrier
Earleaf Greenbrier (Smilax auriculata) is an evergreen climbing vine that produces fragrant green flowers from spring to summer followed by clusters of grape-like berries. It grows in full sun or partial shade in moist well-drained soil. Earleaf Greenbrier is a very aggressive grower and can tangle its way into ornamental plantings with roots that are almost impossible to fully extricate from the ground.
Smooth Carrionflower
Smooth Carrionflower
Smooth Carrionflower (Smilax herbacea) is a herbaceous perennial vine that can grow to be 2.5 m long. Smooth Carrionflower blooms in late spring and early summer. It produces clusters of fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers. The blossoms have a carrion-like scent. This species attracts pollinators and birds and small animals feed on its berries.
Laurel Greenbrier
Laurel Greenbrier
Laurel Greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia) is an evergreen herbaceous vine with leathery leaves and thorny, twining stems that grows in dense thickets. It produces a blackish-blue fruit that has been used to dye fabrics and leather. It grows in partial shade or partial sun in moist soil. Laurel Greenbrier is considered a weed in much of the Southeastern United States.
Blue Ridge Carrionflower
Blue Ridge Carrionflower
Blue Ridge Carrionflower gets its name because it emits a scent that smells like carrion. This stinky smell attracts the flies that will pollinate its flowers. It is a perennial vine with small flowers and nearly black berries.
Sarsparilla vine
Sarsparilla vine
The sarsparilla vine (Smilax pumila) is native to the southeastern states of the USA. It trails along the ground and is useful as a ground cover in less fertile soils. In wooded areas, it clambers up trees. It bears yellowish-green flowers in the fall, followed by red fruit in the winter, which is eaten by birds and mammals.
Upright carrionflower
Upright carrionflower
Upright carrionflower is a small vine that produces flowers with a very unpleasant smell. These flowers bloom in spring, attracting various insects with their odor. This smell is described as similar to rotten flesh, so it's no mystery how the plant got its Smilax ecirrhata.
Smilax trinervula
Smilax trinervula
Known locally as smilax trinervula, this plant has thorns and can grow up to 10 feet tall. It is used by some Native American tribes for medicinal purposes. Its vines can be used for crafts like basket weaving.
Bearded smilax
Bearded smilax
Also known as bearded smilax, this plant features unique foliage covered in fine hair-like structures, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Warty greenbrier
Warty greenbrier
Warty greenbrier is a climbing vine with sturdy, woody stems and heart-shaped leaves. It flourishes in rich, moist forest environments, utilizing its tendrils to ascend towards sunlight. The plant's rough, angular stem contributes to its common name, and it occasionally produces inconspicuous flowers, followed by small, spherical berries when conditions permit.
Smilax scobinicaulis
Smilax scobinicaulis
Smilax scobinicaulis is a climbing vine distinguished by its heart-shaped leaves and wiry, thorn-covered stems that facilitate its ascent through surrounding vegetation. Its greenish-white flowers bloom into bluish-black berries. This adaptive climber thrives in forested areas, twisting around trees for sunlight. Smilax scobinicaulis's unique tendrils reflect its tenacious nature, aiding survival in diverse habitats.
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, displaying its resilience through the robust climbing vines it employs for sunlight access. Its heart-shaped leaves are glossy and provide a striking contrast to the small, inconspicuous flowers. Notably, this evergreen's woody underground rhizomes hint at its traditional use in herbal remedies.
Taiwan greenbrier
Taiwan greenbrier
Taiwan greenbrier is a climbing plant recognized for its slender, lance-shaped leaves. The foliage, often with a waxy surface, thrives in the understory of forests, leveraging the support of other vegetation to reach sunlight. Its growth strategy allows it to navigate the competition for light, exhibiting a mix of resilience and delicacy in its environment.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Prickly-ivy
Smilax
Prickly-ivy comprise of a large and diverse group of woody, climbing shrubs and vines. They are damage tolerant, easily regrowing after being cut or burned by fire. Several species are made into important culinary ingredients used in sodas, soups, and stews and even have edible berries and roots. Prickly-ivy are ecologically important as well - their leaves and berries provide food for insects, birds, and mammals, while their prickly vegetation provides cover for small animals hiding from predators. This genus is named after the woodland nymph Smilax of Greek mythology, who turned into a brambly vine.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Prickly-ivy
Feedback
Attributes of Prickly-ivy
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Prickly-ivy
Distribution of Prickly-ivy
Feedback
Distribution Map of Prickly-ivy
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Prickly-ivy
Feedback
Prickly-ivy is a genus of perennial, woody vines known for their twining habit and often thorny stems. In general, prickly-ivy requires moderate to bright indirect light, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Temperatures should be kept relatively warm, as prickly-ivy does not tolerate extreme cold. Common challenges include pests such as aphids and scale insects, and potential fungal diseases. Seasonally, prickly-ivy may require more water during active growth in spring and summer, and less in autumn and winter when growth naturally slows.
How to Water Prickly-ivy?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Prickly-ivy?
How to Propagate Prickly-ivy?
How to Plant Prickly-ivy?
Exploring the Prickly-ivy Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Rough bindweed
Rough bindweed (Smilax aspera) is a climbing evergreen vine that is native to the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and central Africa. Its yellowish-green flowers mature into red berries, which then darken until they become nearly black. The berries are an important food source for wild birds.
Saw greenbrier
Saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) is a woody vine that wraps its tendrils around trees, shrubbery, and along the ground. The vine is native to North America and grows throughout the world. Saw greenbrier attracts wild turkeys, squirrels, and songbirds. This species can be differentiated from other similar plants by its leathery, triangular leaves.
Roundleaf greenbrier
Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) is a common and visually noticeable vine that grows throughout woodlands and forests in the eastern United States and Canada. Roundleaf greenbrier is edible and cooked similarly to asparagus and spinach, when cooked. The vine grows berries which are eaten by deer, birds, and rabbits.
Cat greenbrier
Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) is a woodland vine plant native to the central and eastern United States. It is resistant to fire because of the properties of its root structure.
Show More Species
All Species of Prickly-ivy
Rough bindweed
Saw greenbrier
Roundleaf greenbrier
Cat greenbrier
Bristly greenbrier
China root
Earleaf Greenbrier
Smooth Carrionflower
Laurel Greenbrier
Blue Ridge Carrionflower
Sarsparilla vine
Upright carrionflower
Smilax trinervula
Bearded smilax
Warty greenbrier
Smilax scobinicaulis
Rough bindweed
Taiwan greenbrier
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
