Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

laurel greenbrier Smilacaceae Smilax laurifolia L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet 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

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

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