Roundleaf Greenbrier
Smilax rotundifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Fritzflohrreynolds
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Smilacaceae
- Genus:
- Smilax
- Species:
- Smilax rotundifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- SMRO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Vine
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black-banded datana (Cymatophora approximaria), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Ephestiodes infimella, Florida fern moth (Callopistria floridensis), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Phyprosopus callitrichoides, Smilax leaf miner moth (Proleucoptera smilaciella), Spotted Phosphila (Phosphila miselioides), turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Marmara smilacisella, turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from extensive rhizome system following fire or cutting.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded or semi-shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification. Germination can be slow and erratic, often taking a full year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI