Glaucous Greenbrier
Smilax glauca
native
Other Names:
Cat Greenbrier, Round-leaved Catbrier, Sawbrier
Glaucous Greenbrier is a native vine found in most of Virginia. "Glaucous" means having a frosted look, and "greenbrier" means green heath plant. Many bird species forage in this thorny vine and eat the berries. Species of bees, flies, beetles, aphids, thrips, and moths either visit the flowers or eat the leaves. Squirrels and raccoons eat the berries, and small mammals use the leaves for cover. Glaucous Greenbrier is related to the plant Smilax ornata from which the sarsaparilla soft drink is made. Like Coca-Cola, sarsaparilla was a patent medicine before it became a soft drink.
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