Kidneyleaf Greenbrier
Smilax bona-nox
- Native to:
- Bermuda, Mexico, United States
National Museum of Natural History (en.wikipedia.org),Judy Gallagher (www.flickr.com),Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.,DouglasGoldman,DouglasGoldman,sonnia hill,Doug McGrady (www.flickr.com) from Warwick, RI, USA,Wicked dancer1,sonnia hill,Wicked dancer1,Wicked dancer1,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Genus:
- Smilax
- Species:
- Smilax bona-nox
- USDA Symbol:
- SMRE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Vine
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Marmara smilacisella, Spotted Phosphila (Phosphila miselioides)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from extensive rhizome system following fire. Common in fire-maintained pine woodlands and savannas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Germination is often erratic and may take over a year. Seeds have hard coats requiring scarification and double dormancy.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI