Comments
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Found in Azad Kashmir and Murree Hills from 1000-2000 m. Also reported from Karachi and Sind by Hasanain & Rahman (Pl.Kar. & Sind.76.1957) but the record needs confirmation.
Roots and stems contain a heteroside, parillin and potassium nitrate. Medicinally used as a substitute for Indian sarsaparilla; also used as a diuretic.
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Description
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Shrubby climber, branches mostly with hooks and spines. Leaves 50-150 x 33-95 mm, broadly ovate to ovate or ovate-lanceolate, cordate, astate or cuneate at base; apex obtuse or acute, mucronate; margin entire or spiny ; leaf distinctly 3(-5)-nerved, midrib sometimes spiny below. Petiole c. 29 mm long, sometimes prickly with a pair of tendrils at the base. Flowers in umbellate racemes, white, fragrant. Peduncle c. 6 mm long. Pedicels c. 6 mm long, filiform. Bracteoles minute. Perianth segments 5 mm long, the outer linear-oblong, the inner linear, with a dark mid-portion. Male flower: filaments c. 3 mm long, anther 1 mm long. Female flower: staminodes 6; stigmas oblong. Berry globose. c. 5 mm long and broad, red, turning blue-black when ripe. Seed c. 4 mm long, dark brown.
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Description
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Vines climbing. Stem and branches woody, ridged-angled, usually very sparsely prickly; prickles short, slightly compressed. Petiole often curved or twisted, 3--4 cm, sometimes sparsely prickly, wingless; abscission zone apical; tendrils rather long. Leaf blade cordate-deltoid to ovate-lanceolate, 6--15 × 5--9.5 cm. Inflorescence a spike of 5--25 umbels, 7--45 cm, basally prophyllate; umbels of both sexes sessile on elongate rachis, 3--6-flowered, base slightly thickened; bracteoles many, broadly ovate. Male flowers: tepals white, 4--5 × ca. 1 mm; stamens 2--2.5 mm. Female flowers: tepals slightly smaller than male ones; staminodes 6. Fl. Jan--Feb, fr. Nov--Dec. 2 n = 32*.
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Distribution
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Widespread from Mediterranean and E. Africa eastwards to India & Ceylon.
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Distribution
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Distribution: Throughout India, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, S. Europe, Syria, N. Africa.
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Distribution
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S Xizang, SW Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal; E and N Africa, SW Asia, C and S Europe].
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Elevation Range
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1200-2600 m
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Flower/Fruit
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Fl.Per.: Sept.-March. Fr.Per.: May-Aug.
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Habitat
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Forests; 1000--2000 m.
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Synonym
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Smilax maculata Roxburgh.
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Smilax aspera
provided by wikipedia EN
Smilax aspera, with common names common smilax,[2] rough bindweed,[3] sarsaparille,[4] and Mediterranean smilax, is a species of flowering vine in the greenbriar family.
Description
Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen climber with a flexible and delicate stem, with sharp thorns. The climbing stem is 1–4 metres (3 ft 3 in – 13 ft 1 in) long.[5] The leaves are 8–10 centimetres (3.1–3.9 in) long,[5] petiolated, alternate, tough, leathery, and heart-shaped, with toothed and spiny margins. It is a monocot with reticulate venation. The midrib of the underside of the leaf is also provided with spines. The flowers, very fragrant, are small, yellowish or greenish, gathered in axillary racemes. The flowering period in Mediterranean regions extends from September to November. The fruits are globose berries, gathered in clusters, which ripen in autumn. They are initially red, later turning black. They have a diameter of 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in)[5] and contain one to three tiny and round seeds. They are insipid and unpalatable to humans, but they are a source of nourishment for many species of birds.
Distribution
This species is widespread in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia), Mediterranean Europe (Cyprus, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, France, Portugal, Spain), temperate Asia ( Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey) and tropical Asia (India, Bhutan, Nepal). It is also naturalized in other regions.[6]
Habitat
It grows in the woods and scrubs, at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.[5]
Gallery
Thickets of Smilax aspera
See also
References
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Smilax aspera: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Smilax aspera, with common names common smilax, rough bindweed, sarsaparille, and Mediterranean smilax, is a species of flowering vine in the greenbriar family.
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