Bristly Greenbrier

Bristly Greenbrier

Smilax tamnoides

Bristly Greenbrier is a viney sort of plant that grows in woodlands across Indiana.  It has a woody stem, although not thick, and it stays green all the time, hence Greenbrier.

The spines are not very dangerous.  More like bristles than spines.  All in all, Bristly Greenbrier is a good name for this plant.

There are nine species of Smilax in Indiana, the Greenbrier's and the Carrionflower's.  Carrionflower is also an appropriate name for those species.  You can guess why.

Bristly Greenbrier is easy to distinguish because it has lots of bristles along the whole stem and the bristles are straight and pointed.

Note the numerous straight thorns