High-climbing woody vine. Stems green, round in cross-section, with few or no prickles, usually with many short side branches. Leaves thin, leathery, evergreen, ovate to lance-ovate, acute to acuminate, base rounded or cuneate, 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in) long. Inflorescence umbels in numerous leaf axils. Flowers numerous, small, greenish. Fruits black, 1-3 seeded, 5-7 mm (0.2-0.3 in) in diameter.
Distribution: Southeastern U. S., mostly on the Coastal Plain.
Habitat: Usually found in floodplain forests.
NWI status: FACU
Comment: Smilax is an ancient Greek name for an evergreen oak; smallii honors American botanist J. K. Small.
Distribution in Oklahoma:
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Last update: 9/20/99
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