Smilax pumila Walter

Dwarf Greenbrier; Hairy Greenbrier; Sarsaparilla Vine

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Dwarf Greenbrier is a perennial evergreen sub-shrub or vine in the Greeenbrier family (Smilacaceae). It can be found in the southern half of Alabama. Dwarf Greenbrier grows in dry, often sandy or rocky woods. It is a perennial from knotty, black rhizomes. Stems are woody, erect or climbing by tendrils, and wooly pubescent. Stems have sparse prickles, mostly towards the base. Leaves are alternate, short petiolate, thick, and evergreen. The leaves are obovate to oblanceolate in outline with entire margins and 3 prominent veins. The leaves are glabrous above and densely pubescent below. Flowers are produced in umbels from the axils of the upper leaves. Flowers are yellowish-green in color. The fruit is a red or orange berry. Dwarf Greenbrier is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It makes and excellent ground cover for dry areas and under trees where few other plants will grow.--A. Diamond

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Native

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