Tuo bing ba qia
Smilax discotis
Family: Smilacaceae
What it is like
A shrubby plant. The stem is branched. It is 0.5-3 m long. There can be a few prickles. The leaf stalk is 4-5 mm long and with broad wings. The leaf blade is 4-10 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They can be larger. The flowering stalk is in the axil of a new leaf on a young branch. There are several flowers of both sexes. The flowers are yellowish-green. The fruit is a black berry 6-8 mm across
There are about 300 Smilax species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In China it grows in shady places between 600-2100 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Britain, China, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, North Africa, SE Asia, Spain
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit