Virginia Tech Dendrology

bristly greenbrier Smilacaceae Smilax tamnoides L. symbol: SMTA2
Leaf: Alternate, simple, rounded to cordate, 3 to 5 inches long, margins ciliate or very finely serrate, parallel veins, shiny green above, slightly paler beneath.
Flower: Small, yellow-green, in clusters with long stems, appearing in late spring.
Fruit: Dark blue to nearly black, round berry, 1/4 inch in diameter, ripens in late summer and persists into the winter.
Twig: Stout green with numerous dark (nearly black), needle-like prickles, numerous paired, slender tendrils.
Bark: Remaining green for a long time but will turn darker and even brown on old stems.
Form: A climbing or trailing vine with tendrils.
Looks like: saw greenbrier - catbrier - laurel greenbrier - common greenbrier

Additional Range Information: Smilax tamnoides is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2021 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