Canar sarsaparilla, Marsh yam
Smilax leucophylla

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A climber. It grows 20 m long. The stems are flat. They have strong spines over the stems. The leaves are broad and oval. The leaf tapers to a tip. The base of the leaf also tapers into the leaf stalk. The leaf blade is 19 cm long by 11 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 2 cm long. The fruit are 1 cm across.

Plant parts are also used as medicine. There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hill forest. In Java it grows up to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked as vegetables.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Akar banar, Canar bokor,Chanar bokor, Kaguno, Ubi danau, Wanabekira

Synonyms

Smilax leucophylla Hassk.; Smilax vicaria Kunth.;