Wild sarsaparilla, Italian smilax
Smilax aspera

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A twining shrub or climbing vine. It grows 3 m high and spreads 60 cm wide. The stems have branches and are ridged and angled. They usually have a few prickles. The leaves have stalks. The stalks are often curved and twisted. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 5-9 cm long by 4-7 cm wide or larger. They are oval or sword shaped and have a sharp tip. The stalk bears a pair of long slender tendrils near the base. The flowers have stalks. They are white and have a scent. There are 5-25 umbels each with 3-6 flowers in a spike.

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and tropical locations. In Nepal it grows between 1200-2900 m altitude. It grows on forest trees in moist places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Central Africa, China, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, East Africa, Europe, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Libya, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Pakistan, Peru, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. They are also added to salads. They are also pickled. The roots yield a kind of sarsaparilla. The young stems are boiled or fried. They are also made into omelettes.

The leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, stems, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Aritjol, Arkovatis, Bindweed root, Canar liar, Dadrund thuthur, Gicirdikeni, Gieir, Gratta culu, Hrapavi oponec, Kukuldaino, Kukurdaino, Neeri, Prickly greenbrier, Red-berried rough-bindweed, Rough bindweed, Sarsaparila hutan, Silcan, Stracciagatte, Strazzacausi, Sui ba qia, Sulcan, Syal daino, Tetivika, Zarzaparrilla

Synonyms

Smilax capitata Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don; Smilax fulgens Wall.; Smilax goetzeana Engl.; Smilax maculata Roxb. ex D. Don;