Smilax officinalis
Smilax officinalis
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Pl. CD8A — Smilax officinalis
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IOverview
Overview
Smilax officinalis, commonly known as catbrier or greenbrier, is a perennial vine native to the eastern and central regions of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, and French Guiana. This plant thrives in moist environments with partial sun to full shade and can grow up to 25 meters tall. It is adaptable to various soil types, from light sandy soils to heavier clay soils. The edible parts of S. officinalis are its roots, which have been used for centuries. Known for both its medicinal properties and culinary applications, this vine plays a significant role in local ecosystems and traditional practices. One distinctive feature is its ability to grow in diverse habitats, making it a hardy and versatile plant in botanical gardens and natural settings alike.
Quick answers
What is Smilax officinalis?
Smilax officinalis, commonly known as catbrier or greenbrier, is a perennial vine native to the eastern and central regions of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, and French Guiana. This plant thrives in moist environments with partial sun to full shade and can grow up to 25 meters tall.
What is Smilax officinalis used for?
Traditionally used for immune support, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Smilax officinalis
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Smilax officinalis has been traditionally used in South American herbal medicine to support immune function, often prepared as a decoction. Its use is based on the belief that it can help maintain overall health and resilience against common ailments.
The mechanism by which Smilax officinalis supports immune function is not fully characterised but may involve bioactive compounds such as saponins, which have been shown to modulate immune responses in related species.
- Smilax officinalis is traditionally used to aid digestion and alleviate digestive discomfort, often consumed as a tea. It has been employed in herbal remedies for its purported ability to soothe the gastrointestinal tract.
The mechanism of action for Smilax officinalis in supporting digestion is not fully understood but may involve compounds like flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce digestive distress.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Smilax officinalis thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It can grow up to 25 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions with a USDA zone of 10-12. For propagation, gardeners may use root cuttings. The plant's edible parts include the roots, which are native to Bolivia, Brazil Northeast, South, Southeast, West-Central, and French Guiana.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
10-12
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
25.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Smilax officinalis for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance approach to growing Smilax officinalis.
- 1
What you'll need
A container or garden bed, seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the weather starts warming up.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) textures.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start young plants indoors before transplanting.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to full sun, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead growth; roots can be harvested year-round.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy shade, neglecting to prune regularly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:Hedgerow
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
7 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
7 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 7 native
Americas3 regions
native (3)BoliviaFrench GuianaPeru
Broader regions
native:Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil West-Central, Brazil Southeast
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · cd8a6003-20ad-4c32-a90d-6abdaf0ddcba
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