Smilax smalli commonly called Greenbriar is normally found in coastal bogs, moist lowlands, bottomland forests, and low sandy areas but will tolerate dry sites. Most Greenbriar, or Catbriar, vines are woody, but a few are herbaceous. Many are armed with thorns and most climb via tendrils. Prune it back severely every three years to prevent it from becoming a dense thicket. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. Dioecious: needs a male pollinator to get female fruit set. It only has prickles on the juvenile stems. Good for evergreen screening. Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. Seasons of Interest: Blooms: Spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Waxy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Shiny, simple, lanceolate to elliptical, smooth (glabrous), with entire margins. The apex is acute and the base is rounded (cuneate).
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Umbel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Smilax smalli has tiny green flowers in clusters formed in the leaf axils all the way to the ends of branches. Inn North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to July.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Brick red berries eventually turn dark red-black at maturity. In North Carolina, the berries are available from April to June of the following year.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Thorny and often form right angles to the main stem. It only has prickles on the juvenile stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Middle and Eastern U.S.A.
Wildlife value
The dense vine tangles provide nesting and hiding cover for birds and other wildlife. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, wide turkeys, and quail. White-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs, especially in the winter. Pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flower.