Smilax aspera
Sarsaparilla
an evergreen member of the Smilax genus in the family Smilacaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Smilacaceae
- Genus
- Smilax
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 3 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young shoots - raw or cooked as a vegetable[17][2][5][8][14]. They can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The tendrils are also eaten[5]. The plant is an ingredient of soft drinks[16][4]. (this probably refers to the root)
- Product or use
- Drink
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[16][4]. 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)[16]. The root has all the medicinal virtues of the widely used tropical herb sarsaparilla, though to a lesser degree[16]. It is often used as an adulterant to that plant[16]. The ripe fruits are squeezed and applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies[14].
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Parasiticide
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A red dye is obtained from the ripe tendrils[5]. The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in warmer countries than Britain[16].
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe to Asia in the Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Bushy places, river banks and ravines[15][6], usually close to the sea[16]. Forests at elevations of 1000 - 2000 metres in S. Xizang and SW Yunnan, China[13].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[1]. This note probably refers to the tropical members of the genus, seeds of plants from cooler areas seem to require a period of cold stratification, some species taking 2 or more years to germinate[K]. We sow the seed of temperate species in a cold frame as soon as we receive it, and would sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if we could obtain it then[K]. When the seedlings eventually germinate, prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year, though we normally grow them on in pots for 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in early spring as new growth begins[11]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[11].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[10]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain[3][7], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[9]. The flowers have a heavy sweet perfume[12]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00
Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1