Practical
Plants

Smilax laurifolia

Laurel Greenbrier

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Smilax
Foliage
evergreen
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

Root - cooked[6][2][5]. Rich in starch[13][3], it can be dried and ground into a powder to be used as a flavouring in soups etc or for making bread[11]. The root can be up to 15cm thick[9]. Young shoots - cooked. Used as an asparagus substitute[6][13][2][5].

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.

The stem prickles have been rubbed on the skin as a counter-irritant to relieve localised pains, muscle cramps and twitching[8]. A tea made from the leaves and stems has been used in the treatment of rheumatism and stomach problems[8]. The wilted leaves are applied as a poultice to boils[8]. A tea made from the roots is used to help the expelling of afterbirth[8]. Reports that the roots contain the hormone testosterone have not been confirmed, they might contain steroid precursors, however[8]. The root bark is astringent and slightly tonic[11]. An infusion of the root bark has been used as a wash in treating burns, sores and pox[11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Tonic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida and Texas.
Habitat
Swamps and low ground[12]. Moist woods and thickets[9].
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[10]. 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[10].

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[7]. This species is not very hardy in Britain[1]. It succeeds outdoors in S.W. England, but even there it is best when grown against a wall[4]. The fruit takes two growing seasons to ripen[9]. 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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  5. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page