Wild-bamboo

Smilax beyrichii Kunth; S. lata Small

Vines; rhizomes linear or dense masses of potatolike tubers. Stems perennial, climbing, branching zigzag, terete, 5–9 m × 5–8 mm, woody, glabrous; prickles numerous, sparse or absent distally, flattened, rigid, stout, to 4 mm. Leaves evergreen; petiole 0.5–1.2 cm; blade green abaxially, drying to brownish green, narrowly ovate to ovate-elliptic, with 3 prominent veins, secondary veins obscure to prominent, 4.5–6(–8.5) × 2–3.5 cm, not glaucous, glabrous or minutely pubescent abaxially, base auriculate, pandurate, or rounded, cuneate at insertion of petiole, margins entire, apex acute to abruptly deflexed point. Umbels 3–8, terminal, axillary to leaves, 5–8 (–25)-flowered, loose; peduncle 0.2–1.5 cm. Flowers: perianth green; tepals: staminate 6–8 mm, pistillate 3–4 mm; ovule 1 per locule; pedicel 0.2–1 cm. Berries purplish maroon, purple, or black, ovoid to flattened, 5–7 mm, glaucous.

Flowering Apr--Jul. Dunes and sandy flatwoods, full sun; 0--100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C.; West Indies (Bahamas).