Earleaf greenbrier
Smilax auriculata
Family: Smilacaceae
What it is like
An evergreen vine. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be 9 m long. It has prickles on the stem. The leaves are oval. and 8 cm long. The flowers are green and in groups of 3-8 flowers. The fruit are dark purple berries 6 mm across.
There are about 300 Smilax species.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows on coastal sand dunes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Bahamas, North America, USA
How it is used for food
Starch is extracted from the roots by pounding.
Edible parts
Root, rhizome