Roundleaf greenbrier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundleaf greenbrier |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Smilax
|
| Species: |
rotundifolia
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Smilax rotundifolia, often called roundleaf greenbrier or common greenbrier, is a tough, woody vine. It grows naturally in the southeastern and eastern United States and eastern Canada. You can often spot it in forests across these areas.
This plant has shiny green leaves that are shaped like circles or hearts. They are usually about 5 to 13 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. The greenbrier uses special green tendrils, which are like tiny grasping arms, to climb other plants. These tendrils grow from the leaf stems, called petioles.
Its stems are round and green, and they have sharp thorns. The flowers are a greenish-white color and appear from April to August. Later, the plant grows bluish-black berries that become ripe in September.
Contents
What is Common Greenbrier?
As its name suggests, Smilax rotundifolia is a green vine with thorns. It's a climbing plant that can get tangled with other plants. It uses small tendrils to climb high.
How it Grows
This vine can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) long by climbing trees and other plants. If there's nothing to climb, it will spread out along the ground. Its stems are woody and light green. The newest stems are often square-shaped. As the vine gets older, its stems change from green to a dark brown color.
You'll often find black-tipped thorns along the stem. These thorns are about 1 centimeter (1/3 inch) long. However, some common greenbrier stems do not have thorns at all.
Its Leaves
The top side of the leaves is darker than the bottom side. These round leaves are about 5 to 13 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. They are smooth and not waxy. Each leaf has 3 to 5 main veins. Sometimes, you might find small prickles on the underside of these veins, but not always.
The leaf stems, or petioles, are about 0.6 to 1.3 centimeters (a quarter to half an inch) long. They are light green and smooth. At the base of each petiole, there are small coverings with tendrils at their ends.
Flowers and Berries
Common greenbrier has greenish-white flowers that grow in clusters of 3 to 20 flowers. These flower clusters grow from where the leaves meet the stem.
Interestingly, male and female flowers grow on different plants. Both male and female flowers are about the same size, around 0.6 centimeters (a quarter inch) long. The flowers bloom for about two weeks in late spring and early summer. After the female flowers bloom, they turn into berries. Each berry can hold up to three seeds.
Where Common Greenbrier Lives
Smilax rotundifolia is found in the eastern half of the United States. This includes states like Texas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma, but not Vermont. It also grows north into Northern Ontario in Canada. This plant is native to North America.
You can find common greenbrier almost everywhere. It grows along roadsides, in gardens, in open clearings, and in forests. In clearings, it can form thick patches that are hard to walk through. It can even grow in wet areas like wetlands.
How Animals Use It
The berries and leaves of Smilax rotundifolia often stay on the plant even into late winter. This makes it a very important food source for wildlife when other food is scarce.
Many animals eat its berries and leaves in late winter and early spring. These include birds like Northern Cardinals and white-throated sparrows. Larger animals like white-tailed deer and rabbits also enjoy snacking on this plant.
Uses for People
People have found several ways to use common greenbrier.
Food
The young shoots of common greenbrier are said to be very tasty when cooked, similar to asparagus. You can also cook the young leaves and tendrils like spinach, or even add them fresh to a salad. In the South Carolina Lowcountry, people often call Smilax 'chaineybriar' and are used to eating it.
The roots of the plant contain a natural gelling agent. This means you can take it out and use it to make foods thicker.
Traditional Uses
The Smilax plant family has been used for medical treatments around the world. The Cherokee Indians, for example, used Smilax rotundifolia to help with leg pain. They would boil the vines and roots together to make a tea. This tea was used to treat an upset stomach. When they drank this tea, they would also say a prayer.
Plant Family and Name
Smilax rotundifolia belongs to the catbrier family, called Smilacaceae. The group of plants it belongs to is called Smilax. There are about 300 different types of plants in the Smilax group.
Other plants in the Smilax group include Smilax glauca, known as cat greenbrier, and Smilax china, also called china root.
The famous scientist Linnaeus first described the Smilax group of plants. He also gave Smilax rotundifolia its scientific name.
Images for kids
-
A close-up of Smilax rotundifolia leaves and stems.
See also
In Spanish: Cozolmecatl para niños
