Smilax smallii Morong

Lance Leaf Greenbrier; Small's Greenbrier; Jackson Brier

**

Perennial

Vascular

Jackson Brier is a native evergreen perennial vine in the Greenbrier family (Smilacaceae). It is found in the southern two-thirds of Alabama. Jackson Brier occurs in a variety of habitat types. It has alternate entire lanceolate to ovate leaves. The leaves are often held upright along the stem. The stems can be quite large in diameter, often as large as your thumb or larger. They are armed with prickles, but these are mostly confined to areas near the base. Stems can reach a length of sixty feet or more, and you often first notice this plant in the winter in the tops of deciduous trees. It climbs by tendrils. The root is a large tuberous rhizome. In the spring umbels of yellowish green flowers are produced. These are followed by red, purple, or black fruit. The fruit are consumed by many species of birds and small mammals. The emerging shoots look similar to Asparagus and can be cooked and eaten in the same manner. As a child we would collect Jackson Brier for Christmas decorations. Large amounts were collected and dried, then sent north from Evergreen Alabama for natural decorations. Jackson Brier is available from some native plant nurseries. It grows best in full sun and will need a trellis or some support to climb on. --A. Diamond

**

Native FACU (NWPL)

**