Smilax nipponica

Physical Characteristics

Smilax nipponica is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Root Shoots Edible Uses: Gelatine Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus[105, 174, 177]. Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc[61]. Used when fully ripe[61]. The blue-black berries are 6 - 7mm in diameter[266]. Root - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereals for making bread etc[621]. It can also be used as a gelatine substitute[61].

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative The roots are antispasmodic and carminative. They stimulate the circulation[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, arthritis, backache etc[147, 218].

Known Hazards

None known