Smilax, << SMY laks, >> is the name of a group of woody or nonwoody vines that have hardy, sometimes thick roots and strongly veined leaves. Smilaxes climb by means of slender threadlike structures called tendrils, which grow at the base of each leaf. The vines grow in temperate and tropical climates throughout the world and bear clusters of red, blue, or black berries. A well-known American species is the common greenbrier. The roots of some species of smilaxes yield sarsparilla, a flavoring. The stems of other species may be worked into baskets.
