SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 41746.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "41746" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

saw greenbrier

Scientific Name: Smilax bona-nox

Family: Smilacaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Shrub, Vine

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Saw Greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox)

Smilax bona-nox, commonly known as saw greenbrier, zarzaparrilla, catbrier, bullbrier, chinabrier, and tramp's trouble, is a species of flowering plant that can be a challenging vine to manage.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a vigorous vine that can form dense, nearly impenetrable thickets.

Considerations for Children

  • Saw Greenbrier has thorns and prickles on its leaves and vines.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Smilax bona-nox L.
  • Common Names: Saw greenbrier, zarzaparrilla, catbrier, bullbrier, chinabrier, tramp's trouble, greenbriar, cowvine, saw briar, fiddle-leaf greenbrier, China-brier, Bull-brier, Tramp's-trouble, Stretch-berry, Fringed Greenbrier.
  • Family: Smilacaceae (Greenbrier Family)
  • Order: Liliales
  • Synonyms: Smilax bona-nox var. exauriculata, Smilax bona-nox var. hastata (Willd.) A. DC., Smilax bona-nox var. hederifolia (Bey.) Fernald.

Distribution and Habitat

  • The natural distribution of saw greenbrier ranges from eastern Mexico to central Texas, north to southeastern Nebraska, and east to Florida and Maryland.
  • It is abundant in the Coastal Plain.
  • It has been observed at locations such as Sycamore Ridge Ranch in Middle Tennessee and Crystal River Preserve State Park.
  • Also found in Dorchester Co., Maryland.

Ecological Role

  • Greenbrier is considered a difficult vine to control in the landscape.
  • It is noted as a weed vine.
  • In Maryland, Saw Greenbriar is on the state watch list (S3).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Saw greenbrier is a vigorous evergreen vine.
  • It forms dense, low, nearly impenetrable thickets.
  • It runs along the ground or climbs.
  • Leaves are alternate, simple, and often have 3 rounded lobes to cordate shapes.
  • Leaves have prickles on the margin or along the midrib.
  • The stem has spines.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Saw greenbrier is sometimes compared to Kudzu in Texas due to its vigorous growth.
  • It can be confused with poison ivy.

Additional Resources

  • Discover Life offers information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Smilax bona-nox.