Saw greenbrier.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Perennial vine

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

20 to 30 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 6 a 10

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

This plant is very self sufficient and rarely needs human intervention. Watch for it spreading too aggressively into areas where you do not want it. It thrives in most soil conditions without extra help.

Riego

Water only during extended dry spells once the plant is established.

Abonado

Fertilizing is generally unnecessary for this vigorous native vine.

Poda

Prune back annually in late winter if you need to control its size or spread.

Trasplante

If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years when roots become crowded.

Suelo

Well draining loam or clay

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

-15 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 80%

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though the thorns can cause significant mechanical injury.

Niños

Keep children away from this plant because the sharp, woody thorns can easily scratch or pierce skin.

Alérgenos por contacto

The sharp thorns can cause skin punctures and irritation.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Comestibilidad

While the young shoots are edible, mature leaves and stems are tough and not recommended for consumption.

Cómo identificarla

• Heart shaped leaves with white mottling
• Stems armed with sharp prickles
• Small greenish flowers in clusters
• Dark blue to black berries
• Strong tendrils for climbing

Altura

3 a 6m

Anchura

2 a 5m

Hojas

green, variegated, semi-evergreen

Flores

greenish-yellow, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

black, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Leaf spot — Fungal spots appear on leaves during periods of high humidity.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, division, cuttings

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Plant this species only where you want a permanent, impenetrable thicket, as it is difficult to remove once established.

Buenas compañeras

• beutyberry americana — They share similar woodland edge habitat requirements.
• Eastern red cedar — It provides a sturdy structure for the vine to climb.

Especies parecidas

• Smilax rotundifolia — It shares a similar growth habit and thorny stems.

Ciencia

Familia

Smilacaceae

Género

Smilax

Orden

Liliales

Clase

Liliopsida

Distribución natural

Southeastern and south-central United States.

Conservación

This species is common and widespread throughout its native range and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges where it uses its tendrils to climb over other vegetation for sunlight.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, nesting cover, bird food

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

natural fencing, wildlife habitat, erosion control

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is this plant invasive?

It can be aggressive in garden settings due to its rapid growth and thorny nature.

How do I control it?

Regular pruning and digging out the root crown are necessary to keep it in check.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Smilax comes from the Greek word for a climbing plant, while bona-nox is Latin for good night.

Bueno saberlo

• The stems are extremely tough and were historically used for basketry.
• It is a vigorous climber that uses tendrils to scale trees and fences.
• The berries provide a vital winter food source for many bird species.
• It is highly resilient and can regrow from its root system after being cut back.