Practical
Plants

Smilax discotis

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Smilax
Foliage
deciduous
Height
7 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit[2]. The black fruit is up to 8mm in diameter[5]. No more details are given.

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Forests, thickets and shaded places on slopes at elevations of 600 - 2100 metres in Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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[4]. 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[4].

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[3]. Not very hardy in Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c and succeeds outdoors in milder parts of the country[3]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  5. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

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