John
Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society’s
Wildflower Spot– March 2009
SAW GREENBRIER
Smilax bona-nox
While seven
species of greenbriers can be found in coastal Virginia,
Smilax bona-nox is distinctive for the leathery,
triangular leaves with a broad lobe on each side,
presenting an “eared” appearance. This is a woody vine
that climbs and winds with tendrils up trees, over
shrubbery and along the ground, creating thick
brambles. The smooth, green stems grow to 20 feet
long, and are covered with stout, sharp prickles that
make passage very difficult. Leaves are green beneath,
often mottled with white. The leaf edges are often
bristly and when smooth, a raised, wire-like vein runs
along the margin.
In late spring,
small, inconspicuous flowers appear in clusters in the
axils of the leaves, male and female on different
plants. Following the flowering period, clusters of
blue fruits are very attractive to wild turkeys,
squirrels and many species of songbirds during the
winter. White-tailed deer will browse the foliage, not
bothered by the thorns on the lower parts of the plant.
The seeds are dispersed by animals and can be carried
long distances by birds.
The young shoots
are excellent cooked like asparagus and served with
butter. Also, the young shoots, leaves and tendrils can
be prepared like spinach or added fresh to salads as
long as they remain tender and juicy, often well into
summer. The tuberous roots will provide a gelatin
substitute, crushed, cleaned and dried.
This greenbrier
will grow in all soils, acid or alkaline, in semi-shade
or full sun, but does require moist soil. Found in
coastal and piedmont Virginia, the range extends from
southern Maryland to Missouri and south to Florida and
Mexico. Information about other native plants can be
found at www.claytonvnps.org.
By
Helen Hamilton, president of the John Clayton Chapter,
VNPS
Photo:
Saw Greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) taken by Helen
Hamilton
