Sweet tea, Sarsparilla vine
Smilax glyciphylla

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A slender, wiry climber. It does not have prickles. The leaves are sword shaped and thin textured. They are 8-10 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. They are dark green above and paler underneath. They have 3 prominent veins. The flowers are small and greenish-white. They occur in loose clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are black berries. They are 5-8 mm across. They have 3 seeds.

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are found in moist gullies and rainforests. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1550 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Smilax glycophylla;