Smilax bona-nox
(Saw Greenbrier)
Smilax bona-nox, Lockhart State Park, Caldwell Co. 4558
Smilax bona-nox, Lockhart State Park, Caldwell Co. 4556
Smilax bona-nox, Lockhart State Park, Caldwell Co. 4559
Smilax bona-nox, Lockhart State Park, Caldwell Co. 4801
| Scientific Name | Smilax bona-nox | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SMBO2 |
| Common Name | Saw Greenbrier, Catbrier | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 43272 |
| Family | Smilacaceae (Catbrier) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Well-drained to wet soils in woods, fields, thickets, hedgerows, etc. Plant: Climbing or sprawling, branching perennial vine; stems are stiff, hairless, 4-sided and with prickles, growing to 15 ft. or more in length. Leaves: Alternate leaves about evenly arranged along the stems; wide, highly variable in shape, broadly ovate to lanceolate-ovate or hastate to pandurate, and frequently lobed, 1-1/4 to 4 inches long; shiny smooth surfaces are pale green, often with white blotches; margins are entire to coarsely ciliate; tips are rounded to mucronate. Inflorescence: Umbels in leaf axils with 10 to 15 small pale green flowers with tepals about 1/8-inch long. Bloom Period: April and May. Fruit: Black ovoid to spherical berries, 1/3-inch across or less, shiny to dull surfaces. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024