Smilax glauca Walt.

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Smilax glauca' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/smilax/smilax-glauca/). Accessed 2024-09-16.

Genus

Smilax

Common Names

Saw Brier

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

axillary: Situated in an axil.
bloom: Bluish or greyish waxy substance on leaves or fruits.
glaucous: Grey-blue often from superficial layer of wax (bloom).
ovate: Egg-shaped; broadest towards the stem.

References

There are no active references in this article.

Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Smilax glauca' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/smilax/smilax-glauca/). Accessed 2024-09-16.

A tall deciduous or partially evergreen climber, with round stems but angled branches, sparsely or not at all prickly. Leaves ovate with broadly tapering or rounded bases and fine points; 11⁄2 to 31⁄2 in. long, 1 to 21⁄2 in. wide; green above, glaucous beneath, with usually three prominent nerves and two smaller ones at the margins; stalk 1⁄6 to 1⁄3 in. long. Flowers green, produced three to eight together in small axillary umbels, the main-stalk of which is 1⁄3 to 1 in. long. Berries black with a glaucous bloom, 1⁄4 in. wide. Bot. Mag., t. 1846.

Native of the eastern United States from Massachusetts southwards; introduced in 1815. It is hardy. The glaucous colour of the leaves beneath is its best distinguishing character.

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