Plant Details

Smilax herbacea

Carrion Flower, Smooth carrionflower

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Smilax herbacea.

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Common names

11 names · 8 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Carrion Flower
  • Smooth carrionflower[1]
  • Smooth Herbaceous Greenbrier[1]
Other languages (7)
Dutch
  • Behaarde struikwinde
French
  • Salsepareille herbacée
  • smilax herbacé[1]
Cherokee
  • ᏏᎦᏓᏍᎩ[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 光滑菝葜[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 光滑菝葜[1]
Finnish
  • virginiansarsaparilla[1]
Ojibwe
  • Gine Bigominaga Wunj[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Smilax herbacea — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • smooth carrionflower — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • Smooth Herbaceous Greenbrier — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • Gine Bigominaga Wunj — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • smilax herbacé — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • 光滑菝葜 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • 光滑菝葜 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • ᏏᎦᏓᏍᎩ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.
  • virginiansarsaparilla — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 154524; Smilax herbacea.

General information

Scientific name: Smilax herbacea
Accepted name (Kew): Smilax herbacea L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Smilacaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Smilax (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Carrion Flower, Smooth carrionflower

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Climbing, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Annual, Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Deep shade, Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Fruit, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Fragrant

Description

Leaves and young shoots of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, similar to asparagus. They have a fine and delicate flavor. The fruits are tasty whether eaten raw or cooked and can be used for jam and jelly, but they must be fully ripe. They have a pleasant taste and are about 10 mm in diameter. The root of the plant can be eaten cooked. Additionally, the root can be dried, ground into powder, and used in making grains, bread, and even as a gelatin substitute.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/08
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 277135; name ID 287300; Smilax L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 234511; name ID 289196; Smilax herbacea L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Smilax herbacea — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Relevant sections
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .