Smilax auriculata

Walter

Fl. Carol., 245. 1788.

Common names: Wild-bamboo
Synonyms: Smilax beyrichii Kunth Smilax lata Small
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 471. Mentioned on page 470.

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.


Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jul.
Habitat: Dunes and sandy flatwoods, full sun
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

V26 980-distribution-map.jpg

Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., West Indies (Bahamas).

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.