Climbing Briars – FranLaff.com

Do you already know this species? Click the arrows to check…

Common Name

Climbing Briars

Scientific Name

Smilax spp.

More Clues to ID

These nearly ubiquitous, often evergreen vines are almost entirely edible outside of their berries. Try their tender tendrils. :wink:

The green parts of these climbing, often thorny, parallel-veined plants are edible as long as they are tender. Try nibbling the tendrils, arising from leaf axils. Root starch as flour, thickener, or diluted for a refreshing drink.

~ Click any pic to open slideshow ~

Learn about this species:

Wikipedia | Weed of the Month | Iowa Extension | Medicinal species of Smilax | Smile — It’s a Smilax!

The species in this genus are so widespread and easy to identify, that you will learn to recognize them in all their varieties, perhaps right in your yard, town, or local park.

Image Credits

Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
rest of pics in public domain

Pssst…

Did you know that this and other species are waiting their turns to be added to Fran’s FREE online courses, like the PLANTS course, or the BIRDS course?

Only found from Central Texas down into Mexico, this titmouse with a striking black crest acts quite a bit like its more familiar, look-alike cousin

Visit this Species

This bright, tropical-looking black and yellow bird from Southeast Asia is related to chickadees and titmice

Visit this Species

This relative of the European Robin nests across Eurasia, can sometimes be found in small numbers in North America, and overwinters in Africa.

Visit this Species

A low-growing “trefoil” weed of lawns and disturbed, nitrogen-poor soil, distinguished by its tiny hop-like yellow flower clusters, pointed tips on each leaflet, and the terminal leaflet on a longer stalk or petiole

Visit this Species

Birders in the eastern half of America welcome this bird as one of their most colorful and recognizable, with its classic blue plumage, contrasted with a little red and white

Visit this Species