FloraFinder.org
Home   About Us   FAQ  
Searching   Image Use Plant Books
x
FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

Smilax rotundifolia L.

Common greenbrier

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderLilialesIncludes lilies, tulips, trilliums, greenbriars, and others
FamilySmilacaceaeGreenbriar family
GenusSmilaxGreek for “clasping”
Speciesrotundifolia“With rounded leaves”

About plant names...

Common greenbrier is a widespread North American native plant. (A brier is a thicket of thorny plants.)

Identification: This woody, thorned vine reaches 10-20′ (3-6.1 m) in length, clambering over other plants, attaching itself with tendrils as it goes. It is deciduous, but may retain its leaves until late in the winter in the south. Stems are somewhat diamond-shaped in cross-section, with sharp thorns up to ¼″ (8 mm) long. Leaves are glossy and leathery, with several fairly prominent veins running from the base to the tip of the leaf, round or oval in shape. Flowers are yellowish-green, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. Fruits are clusters of blue berries with whitish coatings, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter. The berries can persist through much of the winter.

Online References:

Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Www.carolinanature.com

The Island Creek Elementary School's Study of Northern Virginia Ecology

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

EFloras

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Ari­zona · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/10/2018 · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

10/5/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Mary­land · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Mary­land

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Ari­zona · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia L. var. crenulata Small & A. Heller

Smilax rotundifolia L. var. quadrangularis (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alph. Wood

 

Smilax rotundifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 19 Aug 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/17/2018

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

The orange tentrils are invading dodder. · 9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/10/2018 · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

5/26/2018 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Smilax rotundifolia (common greenbrier)

6/17/2018

Range:

About this map...