Smilax australis

Smilax australis (lawyer vine, austral sarsaparilla, barbwire vine, or "wait-a-while") is a vine in the family Smilacaceae, endemic to Australia. It has prickly climbing stems that are up to 8 metres long with coiled tendrils that are up to 20 cm long.[2] The glossy leaves have 5 prominent longitudinal veins and are 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 10 cm wide.[2][3]

Not to be confused with Bush lawyer (plant) (several species of Rubus), or Calamus australis (lawyer cane) or Clusia rosea (Scotch attorney).

Lawyer vine
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species:
S. australis
Binomial name
Smilax australis
Synonyms[1]
  • Smilax latifolia R.Br.
  • Smilax spinescens Miq.
  • Smilax latifolia var. crassinervia A.DC.

Distribution

The species occurs in rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heathland in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,[2] Lord Howe Island, and the northeastern corner of Western Australia.[4][1]

See also

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. G.J. Hardin. "New South Wales Flora Online: Smilax australis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  3. Atlas of Living Australia, Smilax australis R.Br., Austral Sarsaparilla
  4. "Smilax australis R.Br". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.


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