Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Smilacaceae

Genus:

Smilax

Species:

Smilax maritima

USDA Symbol:

SMSM

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Vine

Height:

300 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

green, yellow

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 rhizomes after fire. Common in fire-maintained coastal and pine savanna habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–180 days

Notes:

Seeds have double dormancy and may take 1-2 years to germinate. Warm stratification followed by cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI