Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Liliales
Genus:
Species:
gigantea
ID:
743342

Status:
valid

Authors:
Merr.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1922

Citation Micro:
J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 85: 161 (1922)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000742675

Common Names

  • Gigantea Brier
  • Gigantea Greenbrier
  • Gigantea Smilax

Searching for Smilax gigantea? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Description

Smilax gigantea (also called Bristly Greenbrier, Saw Greenbrier, and Catbrier, among many other common names) is a woody, perennial, evergreen vine that is native to the southeastern United States. It has thick, leathery, dark green leaves and small, white flowers that bloom in the spring. It can be found in moist forests, as well as in disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Smilax gigantea is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a hedge plant.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Smilax gigantea is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, round, black berry with a single seed inside. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single stem with small, oval-shaped leaves.

Searching for Smilax gigantea? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Smilax gigantea is a hardy, evergreen vine that can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is best done by cuttings, which should be taken in the spring or summer. The cuttings should be placed in a potting mix that is kept moist until they have rooted.

Where to Find Smilax gigantea

Smilax gigantea can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Smilax gigantea FAQ

What is the scientific name of Smilax gigantea?

Smilax gigantea

What is the common name of Smilax gigantea?

Giant Sarsaparilla

What is the natural habitat of Smilax gigantea?

Tropical and subtropical forests

Species in the Smilax genus

Smilax emeiensis, Smilax malipoensis, Smilax yunnanensis, Smilax saulensis, Smilax retroflexa, Smilax munita, Smilax guiyangensis, Smilax aculeatissima, Smilax austrozhejiangensis, Smilax lushuiensis, Smilax bapouensis, Smilax pilcomayensis, Smilax nova-guineensis, Smilax china, Smilax chingii, Smilax cinnamomea, Smilax cissoides, Smilax cocculoides, Smilax cognata, Smilax calophylla, Smilax cambodiana, Smilax campestris, Smilax chapaensis, Smilax canariensis, Smilax canellifolia, Smilax celebica, Smilax darrisii, Smilax davidiana, Smilax densibarbata, Smilax cuspidata, Smilax discotis, Smilax domingensis, Smilax corbularia, Smilax cordato-ovata, Smilax cordifolia, Smilax coriacea, Smilax aristolochiifolia, Smilax anguina, Smilax annulata, Smilax arisanensis, Smilax ampla, Smilax aspera, Smilax aspericaulis, Smilax assumptionis, Smilax astrosperma, Smilax californica, Smilax aberrans, Smilax anceps, Smilax amblyobasis, Smilax blumei,

Species in the Smilacaceae family

Smilax emeiensis, Smilax malipoensis, Smilax yunnanensis, Smilax saulensis, Smilax retroflexa, Smilax munita, Smilax guiyangensis, Smilax aculeatissima, Smilax austrozhejiangensis, Smilax lushuiensis, Smilax bapouensis, Smilax pilcomayensis, Smilax nova-guineensis, Smilax china, Smilax chingii, Smilax cinnamomea, Smilax cissoides, Smilax cocculoides, Smilax cognata, Smilax calophylla, Smilax cambodiana, Smilax campestris, Smilax chapaensis, Smilax canariensis, Smilax canellifolia, Smilax celebica, Smilax darrisii, Smilax davidiana, Smilax densibarbata, Smilax cuspidata, Smilax discotis, Smilax domingensis, Smilax corbularia, Smilax cordato-ovata, Smilax cordifolia, Smilax coriacea, Smilax aristolochiifolia, Smilax anguina, Smilax annulata, Smilax arisanensis, Smilax ampla, Smilax aspera, Smilax aspericaulis, Smilax assumptionis, Smilax astrosperma, Smilax californica, Smilax aberrans, Smilax anceps, Smilax amblyobasis, Smilax blumei,

References