Greenbrier

Greenbrier is a common name that can refer to several plants in the Smilax genus and related taxa, as well as to various places in the United States. In botany, greenbrier typically denotes woody vines or shrubs known as catbriers, which climb by tendrils and often have spines. Leaves are usually glossy, leathery, and alternately arranged; flowers are small and greenish, and fruit is a berry that ripens to black or bluish-black. Species vary in habit from evergreen to semi-deciduous and in habitat, ranging from woodlands and hedgerows to thickets and wetlands. Ecologically, greenbriers provide cover for wildlife and food for birds and some insects, while their thorns can deter herbivores. They have a limited role in human use, valued by some for ornamental growth, traditional medicine in certain cultures, and as a source of sarsaparilla fiber and flavor in historical contexts.

Geographically, Greenbrier is used for several places named after the plant. The best known is the Greenbrier resort, a historic luxury hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Greenbrier County and the Greenbrier River—both named for the plant—are located in southern West Virginia. The name also appears in other towns and counties across the United States. The term thus functions as both a botanical common name and a topographical toponym.