Smilax glabra is known as Tufuling in traditional Chinese medicine and in Hindu Ayurvedic medicine. The root is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Lab studies suggest that it may have antiviral properties and may stimulate the immune system. However, studies have only been conducted on rats and it is not known if the same effects would occur in humans. This plant is not readily available in North America. In its native Asian habitats, Smilax glabra grows in trees and over large shrubs, climbing by tendrils that wrap around twigs, branches. The species is not self-fertile as individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. It spreads primarily by rhizomes..
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 9 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in. | Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Climbing
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaf is elliptic- or ovate-lanceolate
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Male flowers have greenish-white calyx and corolla, slightly 6-angled, barely open/ The outer tepals are broadly obovate-orbicular, Female flowers have inner tepals which are entire at the margin and staminodes.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Berries are blue-black, 6--10 mm in diam., white powdery (glaucous)
Stem detail
Stem branched, terete, woody, smooth. Tendrils are well developed.
It is a larval host for the moth species Marmara smilacisella.
Host plant for
moth species Marmara smilacisella
Play value
Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Roots
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
The cooked root can be dried and ground into a powder. and is rich in starch. Smilax glabra roots taste sweet and are used in a Chinese dessert to set certain types of jelly.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The rhizome has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for infections and inflammatory conditions as it is believed to have antioxidant, antiviral, renoprotective, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. In India, fresh roots are made into an extract to treat sores and venereal diseases.