Smilax facts

Smilax aspera is the climbing plants with prickly stems. It is found in Mexico’s marshy forests and North Brazil. The stems are angular, shrubby, twining and prickly. The leaves are ovate to oblong, smooth, 4-5 inches broad and 1 ft. long. The young leaves are oblong, tri-nerved, acuminate and lanceolate. The pollination of the flowers is done by beetles, small bees and various flies. Though the side effects of Smilax are unknown, the excessive intake of Smilax might irritate the gastrointestines.

Name	Smilax
Scientific Name	Smilax aspera
Native	The plant of Smilax is cultivated on the banks of Magadalena which was collected in 1805 by Humboldt. It is known as Sarzaparilla by the native people. It was sent to Jamaica and Carthagena.
Common/English Name	Common smilax, Rough bindweed, Sarsaparilla, Mediterranean smilax, Prickly-ivys, Catbriers, Greenbriers, Wild Sarsaparill, Smilaxes, Rough Bindweed, Prickly ivy, The Common Smilax, Rough Smilax, Italian Sarsaparilla, Mediterranean Smilax
Name in Other Languages	Swedish: taggranka; Catalan: Arítjol, Arinjol, Hedra del diable, Aritja, Sarsaparrella, Matavelles; Chinese: Suì bá qiā (穗菝葜); French: Liseron épineux, Salsepareille, Salsepareille d’europe; Malayalam: Pomburikodi, Chennarvalli; Portuguese: Salsaparrilha; Spanish: Zarzaparrilla, Uva de perro, Silvamar;
Plant Growth Habit	Flowering vine, evergreen, deciduous
Plant Size	Length: 1-4 meters (3 ft. 3 inch-13 ft. 1 inch)
Lifespan	Perennial, more than two years
Stem	Flexible and delicate
Leaf	Length: 8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 inch), alternate, heart shaped, toothed & spiny margins
Flowering Season	September-November
Flower	Fragrant, small, yellowish-greenish
Fruit shape & size	Globose berries, Diameter: 8-10 mm (0.31-0.39 inch); Length: 10 mm; Broad: 7 mm
Fruit color	Red, black
Seed	1-3, tiny, round; Length: 4 mm long, dark brown, black
Fruit Season	Autumn
Health Benefits	Anti-inflammatory properties Enhance immunity Lose weight Prevents cancer Enhance fertility Maintains skin health Detoxification
Traditional uses	The root possesses depurative, demulcent, alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic and stimulant properties. Ripe fruits are used on skin to treat scabies. It acts as an aid for skin ailments, muscle relaxation, rheumatic pain. It cures rheumatism, sexual impotence and physical weakness. It also treats joint pain and headaches. It is used as blood purification and cures gonorrhea, syphilis, gout, wounds and cancer. It is useful for flatulence, cognitive ailments and senile dementia.
Precautions	The diabetic and kidney patients should use it in small amounts. The sensitive people might get allergic reactions with its use. It should be used in small amounts.
How to Eat	The roots are included on soups and stews. Young shoots are eaten raw or cooked like asparagus. The berries are consumed raw or cooked as well. The tendrils are also eaten. It is added in soft drinks.
Other Facts	The stem possesses sharp spines. The glossy leaves are arranged alternately. Roots are added to soft drink and beer. It is used as a food source for the birds and animals. The plant’s upper parts survives from 2-4 years.