Smilax officinalis

Smilax officinalis
Botanical illustration
Sarsaparillae radix
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species:
S. officinalis
Binomial name
Smilax officinalis
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Smilax barbillana Cufod.
    • Smilax bernhardii F.W.Apt
    • Smilax chiriquensis C.V.Morton
    • Smilax gilgiana F.W.Apt
    • Smilax standleyi Killip & C.V.Morton
    • Smilax tonduzii F.W.Apt
    • Smilax vanilliodora F.W.Apt

Smilax officinalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Smilacaceae, native to southern Central America and northwest South America; Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.[1] A vine reaching 50 m (160 ft) as it climbs trees into the canopy, its roots are collected and used to make traditional medicines and, like other Smilax species, the soft drink sarsaparilla.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Smilax officinalis Kunth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  2. ^ Fern, Ken (30 July 2021). "Useful Tropical Plants Smilax officinalis". tropical.theferns.info. Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved 20 March 2022.