Virginia Tech Dendrology

lanceleaf greenbrier Smilacaceae Smilax smallii Morong symbol: SMSM
Leaf: Alternate, evergreen, simple, lanceolate to ovate (on mature stems), entire margins, 3 to 4 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide, parallel veined, shiny lustrous green above (may have lighter green patches), a bit paler below.
Flower: Monoecious; small (¼ inch), pale yellow-green, borne in small round clusters ( 1 inch across) in leaf axils (4 to 8 flowers) in mid-spring to early summer.
Fruit: Green, 1/4 inch berry, later turning red and eventually dark brown, borne in tight clusters, persist over winter.
Twig: Green, mostly round but sometimes angular, very stiff with climbing tendrils, mostly thorn less except for rapid new growth.
Bark: Green, turning greenish brown on older stems.
Form: A climbing vine found draped in trees and shrubs may get up to 30 feet into trees, often forms very dense, tangled thickets.
Looks like: laurel greenbrier - common greenbrier - saw greenbrier - catbrier

Additional Range Information: Smilax smallii 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