Smilax aspera
L.
Wild sarsaparilla, Italian smilax
(c) monima65, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) monima65, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Root, Stems, Fruit
Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable, and make a reasonable asparagus substitute when cooked. The tendrils are also edible. The plant — most likely the root — is an ingredient in soft drinks.
Where to Find It
It grows in temperate and tropical locations. In Nepal it grows between 1200-2900 m altitude. It grows on forest trees in moist places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Yunnan.
Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Central Africa, China, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, East Africa, Europe, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Libya, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Pakistan, Peru, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye,
How to Identify
A twining shrub or climbing vine. It grows 3 m high and spreads 60 cm wide. The stems have branches and are ridged and angled. They usually have a few prickles. The leaves have stalks. The stalks are often curved and twisted. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 5-9 cm long by 4-7 cm wide or larger. They are oval or sword shaped and have a sharp tip. The stalk bears a pair of long slender tendrils near the base. The flowers have stalks. They are white and have a scent. There are 5-25 umbels each with 3-6 flowers in a spike.
How to Grow
Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade. A very ornamental plant, it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c. The flowers have a heavy sweet perfume. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation: Sow seed in March in a warm greenhouse — though this guidance likely applies to tropical members of the genus. Seeds from plants of cooler regions appear to need a period of cold stratification, and some species can take two or more years to germinate. For temperate species, sow in a cold frame as soon as seed is received, or ideally as soon as it is ripe. When seedlings germinate, prick out into individual pots and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first year, though keeping them in pots for two years is preferable. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer. Divide in early spring as new growth begins; larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots can be taken in July in a frame.
Medicinal Uses
The root is alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic. It is considered one of the best depurative medicines and is used as a springtime tonic and general body cleanser, often combined with woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). The root shares the medicinal properties of the widely used tropical herb sarsaparilla, though to a lesser degree, and is sometimes used as an adulterant to that plant. Ripe fruits are squeezed and applied directly to the skin to treat scabies.
Other Uses
A red dye is obtained from the ripe tendrils. The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in climates warmer than Britain.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Smilax aspera, with common names common smilax, rough bindweed, sarsaparille, and Mediterranean smilax, is a species of flowering vine in the greenbriar family.
Other Information
The leaves are sold in local markets.
Notes
There are about 300 Smilax species.
Names & Synonyms
Aritjol, Arkovatis, Bindweed root, Canar liar, Dadrund thuthur, Gicirdikeni, Gieir, Gratta culu, Hrapavi oponec, Kukuldaino, Kukurdaino, Neeri, Prickly greenbrier, Red-berried rough-bindweed, Rough bindweed, Sarsaparila hutan, Silcan, Stracciagatte, Strazzacausi, Sui ba qia, Sulcan, Syal daino, Tetivika, Zarzaparrilla
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