Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Liliopsida>Liliales>Smilacaceae>Smilax rotundifolia L.
| This prickly, thicket-forming, high-climbing woody vine is common throughout North Carolina in a wide variety of habitats. The leaves are semi-evergreen. Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008. |
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| The stout prickles are familiar to anyone exploring the woods in the eastern US. Other common names include Bullbrier and Horsebrier. Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008. |
| Mecklenburg Co., VA 5/2/06. |
| The small flowers are yellowish-green. Mecklenburg Co., VA 5/2/06. |
| Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09. |
| The dark blue-black fruits, which are covered with a whitish bloom, may last through the winter. Orange Co., NC 3/9/08. |
More information:
Bioimages
Northern Virginia Ecology
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina
cwcook@duke.eduAll photographs and text ©2011 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated.