Common Smilax, Smilax aspera

The Common Smilax is a variable, creeping or scrambling, extremely tough shrub. Its leaves are glossy, heart-shaped, very leathery and are accompanied by a pair of tendrils at the base of the

petiole. The sweet scented flowers are greenish-white to greenish-yellow, approximately 3 - 5 mm (1/10 - 1/5 in), borne in branched clusters, with male and female on separate plants. Berries, which are between 2 - 4 mm (1/12 - 1/6 in), take on a red or black color when ripe. It can be found growing in garrigue, shrub and bushy places, frequently forming hedgerows.

According to "Plants for a Future", young shoots can be eaten, raw or cooked, as a vegetable. They can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The tendrils are also eaten. The plant is an ingredient of soft drinks (this probably refers to the root).

The same source maintains that the root is demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic. This is one of the best depurative medicines and is used as a springtime tonic and general body cleanser, usually with woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). The root has all the medicinal virtues of the widely used tropical herb sarsaparilla, though to a lesser degree. It is often used as an adulterant to that plant. The ripe fruits are squeezed and applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies.

Other, non-medicinal uses cited by "Plants for a Future", include the production of a red dye from ripe tendrils.

Type of plant
Evergreen shrub

Flowering Season
August - November

Known Hazards
None known

Known Uses
Young asparagus-like shoots are edible when cooked; tendrils are also edible. Certain parts of the plant, are used as an ingredient for soft drinks. The root is demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, and tonic. Ripe tendrils can also be used for the production of a red dye. "Plants for a Future" rate this plant 3 out of 5 for edibility and 3 out of 5 for medicinal use (min. 0, max. 5).

Habitat

Garrigue, scrub and bushy places.

Distribution
Throughout the Mediterranean region, probably elsewhere.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae (Plants); Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular plants); Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed plants); Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants); Class: Liliopsida (Monocotyledons); Subclass: Liliidae; Order: Liliales; Family: Smilacaceae (Catbrier family); Genus: Smilax; Species: aspera