Smilax aspera, with common names common smilax, rough bindweed, sarsaparille,Altervista Flora Italiana, salsapariglia, sarsaparille, rough bindweed, Smilax aspera includes photos and European distribution map and Mediterranean smilax, is a species of flowering vine in the greenbriar family.
Description Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen climber with a flexible and delicate stem, with sharp thorns. The climbing stem is long.Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982. Vol. III, pag. 401 The leaves are long, petiolated, alternate, tough, leathery, and heart-shaped, with toothed and spiny margins. It is a monocot with reticulate venation. The midrib of the underside of the leaf is also provided with spines. The flowers, very fragrant, are small, yellowish or greenish, gathered in axillary racemes. The flowering period in Mediterranean regions extends from September to November. The fruits are globose berries, gathered in clusters, which ripen in autumn. They are initially red, later turning black. They have a diameter of and contain one to three tiny and round seeds. They are insipid and unpalatable to humans, but they are a source of nourishment for many species of birds.
Distribution This species is widespread in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia), Mediterranean Europe (Cyprus, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, France, Portugal, Spain), temperate Asia ( Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey) and tropical Asia (India, Bhutan, Nepal). It is also naturalized in other regions.
Habitat It grows in woods and scrub at an altitude of above sea level.
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See also Smilax glyciphylla (sweet sarsaparille)
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Biolib