Smilax megacarpa A. DC.

Chinese records of Smilax macrocarpa Blume (e.g., in FRPS) are referable to S. megacarpa.

Vines climbing, usually unarmed. Stem branched, terete, to 10 m, woody. Petiole 1.5--5 cm, narrowly winged for 1/3--1/2 its length; abscission zone distal; tendrils usually present. Leaf blade sometimes turning blackish when dried, ovate to elliptic, (5--)10--20 × 3--12 cm, papery or subleathery, adaxially slightly shiny, base rounded or truncate, apex submucronate. Inflorescence of (1 or)2 or 3 umbels, 3--6(--10) cm, basally prophyllate; umbels of both sexes 6--20-flowered, base slightly thickened. Male flowers: tepals greenish yellow, 6--7 × 0.6--1.5 mm. Female flowers unknown (in China). Berries dark red, globose, 1.5--2 cm in diam. Fl. Oct--Dec, fr. May--Jun.

Guangxi, Hainan, S Yunnan [Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam].

Forests, thickets, shaded slopes; near sea level to 1500 m.