Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Liliales
Genus:
Species:
utilis
ID:
742564

Status:
valid

Authors:
C.H.Wright

Source:
wcs

Year:
1895

Citation Micro:
Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1895: 138 (1895)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000741897

Common Names

  • Useful Greenbrier
  • Useful Catbrier
  • Useful Sarsaparilla

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Description

Smilax utilis (also called 'Utility Smilax', among many other common names) is a perennial vine native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It has large, heart-shaped, green leaves and produces small, greenish-white flowers in summer. It grows in moist, well-drained soils and is often found in shady areas.

Uses & Benefits

Smilax utilis is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including rheumatism, fever, and inflammation. It is also used as a natural insect repellent and as an ornamental plant.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Smilax utilis flowers are small, white in color, and have six petals. The seeds are small and round, and the seedlings are thin and have small, pointed leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Smilax utilis is a perennial woody vine that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate some salt in the soil. It is best to water the plant deeply and infrequently. Pruning is recommended to keep the plant in shape and to encourage new growth.

Where to Find Smilax utilis

Smilax utilis is native to India and can be found in tropical and subtropical forests, as well as in dry deciduous forests.

Smilax utilis FAQ

What is the common name of Smilax utilis?

Utility Greenbrier

What is the native range of Smilax utilis?

China and Japan

What are the uses of Smilax utilis?

Medicinal, ornamental, and food

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

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-289005: Based on the initial data import
Charles Henry Wright (1864-1941): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'C.H.Wright' in the authors string.