Knowledgebase
Can you identify this plant? #419650
Asked August 07, 2017, 3:17 AM EDT
Genesee County Michigan
Expert Response
Would you please separate or clip off a stem with several leaves so I can see if they are arranged opposite or alternate?
What color are the flowers? When do they bloom?
Please attach a shot of the back of the leaf, and the tendrils.
Is any part hairy- leaf or stem?
Are there any thorns or prickles?
Do you cut this back each year or do the stems ever get woody? Thank you.
Hello again,
I think you may have a shrubby vine called common greenbrier, or perhaps some other type of Smilax such as Smilax biltmoreana or Smilax illinoensis.
Please look at the following link and see if this matches the plant that you have. If not, please attach the photos that I requested in my first response. Thank you.
Smilax rotundifolia, common greenbrier
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=127
Sending more photos. Will also clip and photo portion of vine. Need to check for thorns but don't think there are any. Leaves/stems not hairy. Stems are smaller than pencil width, never woody. Don't believe I've observed flowers, maybe they bloom in June? I have dead-headed this plant in late fall, just to keep the area neat for regrowth in the spring. Believe I do have a variety of Smilax but not ones you mentioned.
Thank you for the extra pictures. This is probably Smilax lasioneura, or S. Illinoensis which both have smooth stems. The differences are described in the links below. Compare the descriptions to what you have, remembering that a plant can vary somewhat in size if it is struggling to grow. Details like where the flowers are, and where the tendrils are located on the plant, are important to telling which one you have. (The more rare plant, Smilax herbacea is also a possibility)
http://climbers.lsa.umich.edu/?p=381
http://climbers.lsa.umich.edu/?p=340
Enjoy your interesting plant!
Clipped an end of one vine, see photos, both front and back. Vines air not hairy and have no thorns. All fruit clusters are produced on the lower portion of stems, which bear no leaves. Above the fruit clusters the vines are thickly covered in leaves, and show many tangles of tendrils. Leaves appear to be opposite, most are paired, although some are unpaired. Tendrils grow at same point on the stem as leaf petioles. Have checked all links and references you sent and can't say any are an exact match to my plant. Thanks so much for all your help! At least I know it's some form of Smilax.
Thanks for the latest phots. I would say you have the common carrion flower, Smilax lasioneura. While many references state the leaves are alternately arranged, at least one ( University of Illinois) states leaves can vary and be arranged oppositely, too. Always interesting how nature keeps our attention!
I enjoyed exploring this plant with you. If you would like another opinion, you may submit your excellent collection of photos, samples and information to MSU Diagnostic lab. They may charge a small fee. You can find their instructions, submission form, etc here-- https://pestid.msu.edu
I'm very grateful for all your help and, yes, this was a fun exploration. I'd certainly use this service again.
Last photos for you - my garden table and windmills! Enjoy!
Brian White
And glad to help!
