What is "smilax rotundifolia"

horsebrier \horsebrier\ n. a very prickly woody vine ( Smilax rotundifolia) of eastern U. S. growing in tangled masses having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries.

Syn: bullbrier, greenbrier, catbrier, brier, briar, Smilax rotundifolia.

Brier \Bri"er\, Briar \Bri"ar\ (br[imac]"[~e]r), n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. br[=e]r, br[ae]r; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.]

1. A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax.

2. Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.

   The thorns and briers of reproof.
   --Cowper.

   Brier root, the root of the southern Smilax laurifolia and Smilax Walteri; -- used for tobacco pipes. See also 2nd brier.

   Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax ( Smilax rotundifolia, etc.)

   Sweet brier ( Rosa rubiginosa). See Sweetbrier.

   Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina.

catbrier \catbrier\ n. a very prickly woody vine of eastern U.S. ( Smilax rotundifolia) growing in tangled masses, having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries.

Syn: bullbrier, greenbrier, horsebrier, brier, briar, Smilax rotundifolia.

Smilax rotundifolia, known as roundleaf greenbrier and common greenbrier, is a woody vine native to the eastern and south-central United States and to eastern Canada. It is a common and conspicuous part of the natural forest ecosystems in much of its native range. The leaves are glossy green, petioled, alternate, and circular to heart-shaped. They are generally 5–13 cm long. Common greenbrier climbs other plants using green tendrils growing out of the petioles.

The stems are round and green and have sharp spines. The flowers are greenish, and are produced from April to August. The fruit is a bluish black berry that ripens in September.