Coarse
liana with abundant prickles on the stems; leaves alternate, simple,
elliptic, base rounded, margin entire, apex acute; tri-nerved,
with prickles on the major veins on the underside.return to: checklist; family Smilacaceae; keys
Coarse
liana with abundant prickles on the stems; leaves alternate, simple,
elliptic, base rounded, margin entire, apex acute; tri-nerved,
with prickles on the major veins on the underside.
Additional images:
This and related species yield sarsaparilla, long reputed to have tonic, stimulant, and cleansing (depurative) properties. Standley (1930) also mentions medicinal use in the treatment of syphillis, fever, and rheumatism.
