Virginia Tech Dendrology

catbrier Smilacaceae Smilax glauca Walter Listen to the Latin symbol: SMGL
Leaf: Alternate, simple, parallel veined, oblong to narrowly cordate, 2 to 4 inches long, green or variegated with pale patches above, whitened beneath.
Flower: Small and greenish-yellow, in clusters appearing in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Dark blue to nearly black berries covered with glaucous bloom, occur in clusters, 1/3 inch in diameter.
Twig: Slender, round, green and often covered with a white waxy bloom, prickles weak, tendrils present.
Bark: Greenish brown becoming discolored with age.
Form: A climbing vine.
 Looks like: saw greenbrier - laurel greenbrier - common greenbrier - bristly greenbrier
leaf flower fruit twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Smilax glauca is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting catbrier.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2018 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654