Laurel greenbrier, Lanceleaf greenbrier
Smilax laurifolia

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A slender woody vine. The stems have prickles. The leaves are green and leathery. They are oval to sword shaped and 6-10 cm long. They are wedge shaped at the base. The fruit are purple to black and have 1 seed.

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet woods and on the edges of swamps.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bahamas, Central America, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, North America, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as asparagus. A starch can be extracted from the roots. The tuberous roots are dried, ground into flour and used to make bread.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, young stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Parillax laurifolia (L.) Raf.; Smilax alba Pursh; Smilax lanceolata L.; Smilax virginiana Mill.; and others