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Smilax aspera
  • Sarsaparilla

an evergreen member of the Smilax genus in the family Smilacaceae.

Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Smilax aspera has 0 edible uses listed
Smilax aspera has 0 material uses listed
Smilax aspera has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - raw or cooked as a vegetable[1][2][3][4][5]. They can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The tendrils are also eaten[3]. The plant is an ingredient of soft drinks[6][7]. (this probably refers to the root)

Unknown part

Drink

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the ripe tendrils[3]. The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in warmer countries than Britain[6].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[6][7]. 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)[6].

The root has all the medicinal virtues of the widely used tropical herb sarsaparilla, though to a lesser degree[6]. It is often used as an adulterant to that plant[6].

The ripe fruits are squeezed and applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies[5].

Unknown part

Alterative
Demulcent
Depurative
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Stimulant
Tonic
Parasiticide

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[8]. 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[9]. 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[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Smilax aspera. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[10].

A very ornamental plant[8], it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain[11][12], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[13]. The flowers have a heavy sweet perfume[14].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Smilax aspera. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Smilax aspera.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Smilax aspera
Genus
Smilax
Family
Smilacaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[6][7][5]
Material uses & Functions
[3][6]
Botanic
[11][10][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    3 x meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
    13. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    14. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    15. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-158" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.
    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-45" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Smilax aspera"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySmilacaceae +
    Belongs to genusSmilax +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has binomial nameSmilax aspera +
    Has common nameSarsaparilla +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useDrink + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAlterative +, Demulcent +, Depurative +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Stimulant +, Tonic + and Parasiticide +
    Has search namesmilax aspera + and sarsaparilla +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSmilax aspera +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera +, Smilax aspera + and Smilax aspera +