Smilax glabra, commonly known as sarsaparilla, is a perennial vine native to a variety of habitats including forest margins, thickets, and hillsides in China, Taiwan, and Indochina. It can climb to heights of up to 5 meters, using its tendrils to grasp onto supports. The plant features heart-shaped leaves and small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that bloom in the spring. While not particularly ornamental, the plant is valued for its rhizome, which is harvested and dried for medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine.

Sarsaparilla is known for its therapeutic properties, including the treatment of dysentery, joint pain, and colds. Its dihydro-flavonol glycosides and sarsasapogenin are believed to contribute to these medicinal benefits. In cultivation, Smilax glabra thrives in moist, well-drained soils with partial shade to full sun exposure. It is often used in Chinese medical desserts like guilinggao and can be grown in gardens as a climbing plant, though it is not commonly sought after for ornamental purposes. Gardeners should be aware that the plant can become invasive if not managed properly, spreading through its underground rhizomes.CC BY-SA 4.0