Smilax rotundifolia L.
Roundleaf greenbrier, Common greenbrier
Smilacaceae (Greenbrier Family)
Synonym(s): Smilax rotundifolia var. crenulata, Smilax rotundifolia var. quadrangularis
USDA Symbol: SMRO
Ranges through much of eastern North America, from eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, east to northern Florida, and north as far as southernmost Ontario and Nova Scotia in Canada, where its limited range qualifies it for threatened status under Canadas Species at Risk Act (SARA). Numerous birds and animals eat Common greenbrier fruits. The persistent fruits are an important late winter and early spring food for wintering birds, including northern cardinals and white-throated sparrows. Common greenbrier is a pioneer species that forms impenetrable thickets of prickly branches, which create good cover for small mammals and birds (USDA).
From the Image Gallery
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Bloom InformationBloom Color: Green , Brown
DistributionUSA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV
Canada: NS , ON
Native Habitat: Forest,Woodland
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
BenefitWarning: Thorns or prickles.
National Wetland Indicator Status
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
From the ArchiveWildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.6 - Wildflower Center Featured Non-Profit in Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, Dana Leav...
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Smilax rotundifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Smilax rotundifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Smilax rotundifolia
MetadataRecord Modified: 2014-04-22
Research By: TWC Staff