Smilax, a genus of endogenous, mostly shrubby, often prickly plants, which climb by tendrils. They are abundant in warm climates, and are represented in the Atlantic states by several species, some of which are popularly known as greenbrier, catbrier, or brier. The genus is the only one in the flora of the northernmost states which affords an example of a woody endogenous stem; the general aspect of the plants is that of the exo-gens, as their leaves are netted-veined, while in the great majority of endogens they are parallel-veined; the petioles are furnished with a tendril upon each side. The flowers, in axillary umbels, are small, dioecious, with the greenish or yellowish regular perianth in six parts; the sterile flower has six stamens; the fertile has a free ovary of three or more cells and as many thick and spreading stigmas; fruit a small berry with one to three seeds. The best known species is the common green-brier (smilax rotundifolia), which extends from Canada through the southern states; it often forms, by spreading over the shrubs and trees, impenetrable thickets, its stems extending from one tree to another for 30 or 40 ft., and very slender and strong; the smooth leaves are nearly orbicular, often broader than long, and somewhat heart-shaped at base, of a pleasing soft green color, which turns to deep yellow-in autumn, and later to a rusty brown, though in the southern states they are nearly evergreen; the small clusters of berries are black, with a bloom, and have a tempting appearance, but are very nauseous to the taste.

The plant is variable, and forms of it have been described as distinct species. It is a handsome ornamental climber, which has received no attention because it is common. There are about a dozen other species, from New Jersey southward, with variously shaped leaves, some of them evergreen, and differing in their fruit clusters. The most important of these is popularly known in the southern states as China brier (8. pseudo-China), which extends northward to New Jersey; its stems, especially near the base, have weak blackish prickles; the leaves are ovate heart-shaped, often with a fringe of rough hairs on the margins and a slender point. The young and tender shoots of this are eaten as asparagus; the mature stems have a reputation as an alterative; the rootstocks, which are tuberous, brownish red, and sometimes as large as the two fists, contain considerable starch, which the Seminoles formerly used in times of scarcity, both by separating the starch and by cooking the whole root; a kind of beer has been made from them, with molasses, parched corn, and sassafras; the root is light, porous, easily worked, and is largely used for tobacco pipes.

A few species are herbaceous, the most common being the variable S. herbacea, 1 to 6 ft. high, with mostly heart-shaped leaves; the flowers are in large umbels, upon stalks 3 to 8 in. long, the fertile ones succeeded by a showy, nearly globular cluster of berries. This is sometimes a troublesome weed in pastures; when in bloom its presence is readily detected from the odor of its flowers, which has given the plant the well merited name of carrion flower. Two other species belong to this section, which Torrey at one time regarded as a distinct genus, to which he gave the appropriate name of coprosmanthus. Nearly 200 species of Smilax are enumerated as growing in various parts of the world, but, judging from the confusion of names existing among our own, the number of real species is much less. The most important exotic species are those which furnish the drug sarsaparilla. (See Saesapaeilla.) Another medicinal product is the China root, the rhizome of S. China and several other eastern species, which, under the name of radix Chinae, came into use about A. D. 1535 as a remedy for syphilis, gout., and rheumatism; it is now little used except in the East. The fresh rootstocks of this and other species are cooked and eaten by the Chinese. - Under the name of Smilax florists cultivate in greenhouses large quantities of Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, a liliaceous plant from the Cape of Good Hope, closely allied to asparagus; it has small tuberous roots, and very slender, strong, branching stems, which climb by twining to the height of 20 ft. or more; its proper leaves are minute scales, from the axils of which, as in asparagus, appear small branches, so modified that they look like true leaves, the functions of which they perform; the flowers are small, whitish, and inconspicuous, and are followed by green berries about the size of those of asparagus.

It is raised from seeds, the roots being kept from year to year. This plant is one of the most valuable and popular of all greens used for decorations, as it does not readily fade, and its thread-like stems allow it to be used in the most delicate work. It is a very useful window plant if the atmosphere of the room is not excessively dry.

Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia).