Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

common greenbrier Smilacaceae Smilax rotundifolia L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet play symbol: SMRO
Leaf: Alternate, simple, rounded to cordate, 2 to 5 inches long, parallel veined, entire margins, shiny green above, paler below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; small light yellow-green, borne in small round clusters in late spring.
Fruit: Dark blue to black berries, borne in clusters, often covered with a powdery, waxy bloom; maturing in late summer and persist over winter.
Twig: Stout, green, usually sharply 4-angled with many scattered, stiff prickles, climbs with tendrils; very tough and stiff but new spring sprouts are tender and edible.
Bark: Remaining green for a long period of time, turning brown on old stems.
Form: Most often a climbing vine, but may also form a small, tangled bush.
 Looks like: saw greenbrier - catbrier - laurel greenbrier - bristly greenbrier

common greenbrier leaf image
common greenbrier flower image
common greenbrier fruit image
common greenbrier twig image
common greenbrier bark image
common greenbrier form image
common greenbrier map image

Additional Range Information: Smilax rotundifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
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