Smilax discotis

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

Smilax discotis is a deciduous Climber growing to 7 m (23ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. 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.

Height (m): 7

Where it is found

Forests, thickets and shaded places on slopes at elevations of 600 - 2100 metres in Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan.

E. Asia - China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. The black fruit is up to 8mm in diameter. No more details are given.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade. Not very hardy in Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c and succeeds outdoors in milder parts of the country. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. china. non DC.