False sarsparilla, Austral Sarsparilla, Greenbrier
Smilax australis

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A climber which scrambles widely. It can grow to many metres high. The stems are wiry and 0.5 cm across. They have some sharp prickly thorns. Plants are separately male and female. The leaves are alternate and smooth. They are broadly oval and leathery. The leaf blade is 5-14.5 cm long by 3.2-9.5 cm wide. Leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. There are 3-5 veins running along the leaf. The flowers are small and cream. They are about 0.3-0.6 cm across. Several occur together in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a smooth berry. It is 0.8-1 cm across. They are purple to black when ripe. There are 1-2 seeds inside.

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in coastal monsoon vine thickets. It grows above the beach or near streams. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1300 m altitude. Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), East Timor, Lord Howe Island, SE Asia, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. They have a slightly hot taste. They are used for jams and jellies.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings. Seeds can take a few months to germinate.

Its other names

Local names

Barbed-wire vine, Dapu, Lawyer vine, Native sarsaparilla, Smilax

Synonyms

Smilax elliptica R. Br.; Smilax latifolia R.Br.; Smilax spinescens Miq.;