Smilax sieboldii Miq.

A deciduous or semi-evergreen species, the stems round or somewhat ribbed, and more or less armed with slender prickles; branches distinctly angular. Leaves ovate with a heart-shaped base and a long fine point, five-or seven-nerved, margins minutely jagged; green both sides, 11⁄2 to 3 in. long, two-thirds as wide. Flowers in small umbels of four to seven blossoms, green; main flower-stalk 1⁄2 to 5⁄8 in. long. Berries black, 1⁄4 in. wide, often in threes.

Native of Japan, Korea, China and Formosa; introduced in 1908, perhaps before. It is a little known species in gardens, very distinct from S. china, which also occurs in Japan, in the smaller, black fruits, fewer flowered umbels, and triangular-ovate leaves.