Lanceleaf Greenbrier
(Smilax maritima)
Lanceleaf Greenbrier (Smilax maritima)
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Lauren McLaurin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Lauren McLaurin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Lauren McLaurin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Lauren McLaurin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-06-20T09:46:43-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Smilax maritima, commonly known as Lanceleaf Greenbrier, is an evergreen perennial vine native to coastal dunes, maritime forests, and wetlands in the Southeastern USA. It typically grows to a height and width of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters), with a sprawling habit that can form dense thickets. The plant features lance-shaped leaves and small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that bloom in the spring. It produces bluish-black berries that are attractive to wildlife. Lanceleaf Greenbrier is valued for its ability to stabilize soil in coastal areas and its use as a natural barrier due to its thorny stems.
Lanceleaf Greenbrier is adaptable to a range of light conditions, from full sun to part shade, and prefers moist to wet soils with good drainage. It is often used for erosion control, as ground cover in restoration projects, and as a wildlife-friendly planting. While it requires minimal maintenance once established, gardeners should be aware of its thorny stems when handling the plant. It can become aggressive in favorable conditions, so it may need to be managed to prevent it from overtaking other plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Lanceleaf Greenbrier is adaptable to a range of light conditions, from full sun to part shade, and prefers moist to wet soils with good drainage. It is often used for erosion control, as ground cover in restoration projects, and as a wildlife-friendly planting. While it requires minimal maintenance once established, gardeners should be aware of its thorny stems when handling the plant. It can become aggressive in favorable conditions, so it may need to be managed to prevent it from overtaking other plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Vine
- Height: 3-4.5 feet
- Width: 3-4.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Slow, Wet
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Coastal dunes, maritime forests, and wetlands
Other Names
Common Names: Bamboo Vine, Jacksonbrier Jacksonvine, Southern Smilax
Scientific Names: , Smilax smallii, Smilax maritima, Smilax cinnamomifolia, Smilax ovata, Smilax ovata var. buckleyi,
GBIF Accepted Name: Smilax maritima Feay ex Alph.Wood