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20170308_170856 File:Smilax rotundifolia 3.JPG Smilax rotundifolia 1.JPG Smilax rotundifolia 6.JPG Smilax rotundifolia Smilax rotundifolia fruits in winter 001.JPG GreenbriarTuber2

NAME: Greenbrier

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Smilax Rotundifolia / Smilacaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Roundleaf greenbriar, horse briar

CONDITIONS: shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520vine tips

asparagus

RAW/COOK

Spring

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

asparagus

   

Buds/Flowers

       

Fruits

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 

RAW/COOK

 

Roots

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 

DRY/COOK

Fall

Seeds

 

 

   

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

 

 

Stalk

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT:  Leaf tips and young shoots, roots used in drinks, soups, and stews.  Fruit mostly seed which should be removed. Young roots can be boiled and eaten.  Dry older roots and pound into flour. (2)

 

CAUTIONS:  Pick from vines containing both thorns and tendrils only.(4) Some sources, such as PFAF.org did not list the berries as edible, but many did.  So use caution. You also may want to remove seeds from fruit.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Tubers high in starch & minerals; leaves & stems high assorted vitamins and minerals. (4) Birthing aid;  Poultice;  Rubefacient (1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:   

 

OTHER USES:

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+rotundifolia 
    related - https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+glauca
    related - https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+herbacea
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/smilax-a-brier-and-thats-no-bull
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smilax_rotundifolia 
  4. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/greenbriar.html  (good photos, plus catbrier)
  5. http://www.survivallandusa.com/Smilax-Rotundifolia-Common-Greenbriar-Catbriar-Edible.html
  6. http://foragedfoodie.blogspot.com/2016/05/identifying-eating-smilax.html
  7. https://joshfecteau.com/foraging-wild-shoots-common-greenbrier
  8. https://greatoutdoordinary.com/2017/03/12/wild-edibles-greenbriar-smilax
  9. https://www.picbear.org/media/ByfObNTgcBd

 

Other Smilax species:

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+glauca Cat Greenbrier

https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+auriculata Earleaf Greenbrier

https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+tamnoides Bristly Greenbrier

https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+herbacea Carrion Flower, Smooth carrionflower

https://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Smilax+bona-nox Dunes Saw Greenbrier

https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Smilax+laurifolia Laurel Greenbrier (roots, shoots, leaftips)