I wonder if there was ever a sci-fi movie called "Invasion of the Smilax." It's a prolific and hardy vine that I've become well-acquainted with on the Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail and on my own property.
It's brutal thorns are the first things students notice. All of this plant's other names are apt. Greenbrier is descriptive, as it keeps this color year round. Catbrier is a reference to how it can rake across your unprotected arm, leg, or face in a heartbeat. And some refer to it as the "wait-a-minute vine" because when it snags your clothing, you have to delay your stroll while you gingerly disentangle yourself. Hopefully, without further injury.
These thorns are stiff and unyielding, but at least they don't embed themselves in your tender skin like cactus, blackberry thorns, and others.
Smilax is a native vine, so no matter how it thrives, it's not considered invasive. I wear heavy gloves when clipping it at ground level in areas where it's unwanted. I cleared this wheelbarrow load out of Judy's prayer garden, where it is planted by songbirds among the sweetshrubs. Winter is a good time to spot it and eliminate it, if only temporarily.
The next two pictures show what a dense tangle this vine can become if not kept in check. You can also see the dark berries which grow on mature plants. In spite of its "dark" qualities, smilax apparently has some benefits. The berries provide food for birds and other creatures throughout the year, not just seasonally. And deer can even eat the spiny stems. I can scarcely see how!
On the back part of our property, I've allowed smilax to spread uncontested. With most of the trees bare of leaves, you can see how huge clumps of smilax have claimed a place in the understory and canopy layers of the forest.
I've recently read that the rhizomes, or rootstock of smilax are actualy edible by humans. I'm going to check into that, but even a master chef like Judy will need some convincing before incorporating it into one of her dishes.
Over the last thirty-plus years here at the Loyd place I've finally eradicated sandspurs. I've limited cactus to the areas where it won't be a hazard. But I'm not in a position to declare war on smilax. I'd have to dig up every new sprout by the roots, which can often be deep. And the birds would continue to plant more. So I'll have to be content with the ongoing pruning, both at home and on the nature trail, reminding myself that every single creation of God has a place in the grand scheme of things.
Vines in general are quite fascinating. Their common trait is that they depend on twining growth and tendrils that cling to anything nearby for support. Other vines that are abundant here at home and on the nature trail are:
- poison ivy
- honeysuckle
- Trumpet Creeper/Japanese ivy
- grapevine
- Virginia Creeper
- wisteria
- Carolina jasmine
- English ivy
- sweet peas
- morning glory
- KUDZU
Of this list, kudzu might be the most likely candidate for a blog post of its own. Stay tuned. And before winter is over, pick a mild afternoon for a stroll on the Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail. And watch out for SMILAX!
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