Smilax aspera
| Smilax aspera | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Smilax aspera (common name: sarsaparilla)
Propagation: Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[1]. This note probably refers to the tropical members of the genus, seeds of plants from cooler areas seem to require a period of cold stratification, some species taking 2 or more years to germinate[K]. We sow the seed of temperate species in a cold frame as soon as we receive it, and would sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if we could obtain it then[K]. When the seedlings eventually germinate, prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year, though we normally grow them on in pots for 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in early spring as new growth begins[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[3].
A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain[4][5], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[6].
The flowers have a heavy sweet perfume[7].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: S. Europe to Asia in the Himalayas.
Habitat: Bushy places, river banks and ravines[8][9], usually close to the sea[10]. Forests at elevations of 1000 - 2000 metres in S. Xizang and SW Yunnan, China[11].
Edibility: Young shoots - raw or cooked as a vegetable[12][13][14][15][16]. They can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The tendrils are also eaten[14].
The plant is an ingredient of soft drinks[10][17]. (this probably refers to the root)
Medicinal: The root is alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[10][17]. This is one of the best depurative medicines and is used as a springtime tonic and general body cleanser, usually with woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)[10].
The root has all the medicinal virtues of the widely used tropical herb sarsaparilla, though to a lesser degree[10]. It is often used as an adulterant to that plant[10].
The ripe fruits are squeezed and applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies[16].
Usage: A red dye is obtained from the ripe tendrils[14].
The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in warmer countries than Britain[10].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: S. mauritanica. S. nigra.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.