Virginia Tech Dendrology

laurel greenbrier Smilacaceae Smilax laurifolia L. symbol: SMLA
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, oblong to elliptical, parallel veined, entire margins, abruptly terminating, 2 to 4 inches long, leathery, green to yellow-green above.
Flower: Small and greenish-yellow, borne in clusters, appearing in mid-summer.
Fruit: Bluish black berry occurring in short stemmed clusters, each 1/4 to 1/3 inch in diameter, ripens in the late summer of the following year.
Twig: Green to brown-green, round or may be slightly angled, very spiny to spineless, tendrils present.
Bark: Remains green for a long time but eventually turns brownish red.
Form: High climbing, scrambling vine that can form impenetrable thickets.
Looks like: saw greenbrier - catbrier - common greenbrier - bristly greenbrier

Additional Range Information: Smilax laurifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 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; range map source information