Smilax californica

Shrubs or vines; rhizomes short, knotty. Stems perennial, climbing or not, to 12 m, woody, glabrous; prickles sometimes absent distally, bristlelike, 3–11 mm, flexible. Leaves evergreen, ± evenly dispersed; petiole 0.5–2 cm; blade dull green, drying to dull, ashy green, ovate to broadly ovate, conspicuously veined, 4–11 × 3–8 cm, not glaucous, glabrous, base cordate to subcordate; margins entire, thin, flat, not banded, never lobed; apex acute, often apiculate. Umbels axillary to distal leaves, (2–)8–13(–19)-flowered; peduncle 2–5 cm, longer than petiole of subtending leaf. Flowers: perianth green; tepals 3–6 mm; ovule 1 per locule; pedicel thin, 1–1.5 cm. Berries black, ovoid, 7–9 mm.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Yellow pine and mixed evergreen forests, often in thickets along rivers, streams, and springs, partial–full sun
Elevation: 250–1200 m

Calif., Oreg.

Discussion

Smilax californica is apparently closely related to the more eastern S. tamnoides. It lacks the minute serrulations characteristic of the latter’s leaves.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa