Smilax rotundifolia L. var. quadrangularis (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alph. Wood
Smilax rotundifolia L.
Common greenbrier, roundleaf greenbrier
Common greenbrier is a widespread North American native plant. (A brier is a thicket of thorny plants.)
Plants: This woody, thorned vine reaches 10–20′ (3–6.1 m) in length, clambering over other plants, attaching itself with tendrils as it goes. It is deciduous, but may retain its leaves until late in the winter in the south. Stems are somewhat diamond-shaped in cross-section, with sharp thorns up to ¼″ (8 mm) long.
Leaves: Glossy and leathery, 1¾–5″ (5–13 cm) in size, with several fairly prominent veins running from the base to the tip of the leaf, round or oval in shape.
Flowers: Yellowish-green, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. They appear from April to August.
Fruits: Clusters of bluish-black berries with whitish coatings, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter. The berries can persist through much of the winter.
Habitats: Forests with sandy, moist to dry soils, in woodlands, fields, and pond borders, hedgerows, thickets.
Online References:
Smilax rotundifolia L. var. crenulata Small & A. Heller
Smilax rotundifolia L. var. quadrangularis (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alph. Wood
Smilax rotundifolia L. var. quadrangularis (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alph. Wood
In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Arizona · ≈ 3 × 2″ (7.4 × 5.9 cm) 
6/10/2018 · Virginia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
10/5/2010 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 8 × 4½″ (19 × 12 cm) 
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland 
7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) 
6/18/2011 · Sue and Rai’s, Phoenix, Maryland 
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
In late winter. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Arizona · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm) 
6/17/2018 · Virginia 
2/14/2012 · Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) 
The orange tentrils are invading dodder. · 9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) 
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 6″ (19 × 15 cm) 
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 5″ (10 × 12 cm) 
6/10/2018 · Virginia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
5/26/2018 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm) 
5/24/2026 · Mid-Lothian Mines Park, Midlothian, Virginia · ≈ 8 × 11″ (19 × 28 cm) 
7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
6/17/2018 · Virginia 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Liliopsida | Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family |
| Subclass | Liliidae | Includes lilies, orchids, and many others |
| Order | Liliales | Includes lilies, tulips, trilliums, greenbriars, and others |
| Family | Smilacaceae | Greenbriar family |
| Genus | Smilax | Greek for “clasping” |
| Species | rotundifolia | “With rounded leaves” |
Smilax rotundifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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