catbriers

Catbriers are a group of woody, thorny vines in the genus Smilax, commonly known as catbriers or greenbriers. They are native to a wide range of temperate and subtropical regions in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and they often form dense thickets in woodlands, hedgerows, and wetlands. Catbriers climb by sending out slender tendrils that wrap around nearby vegetation or structures, and many species bear sharp prickles on the stems.

Leaves are simple, alternate, and typically glossy with several parallel veins that originate near the base. Flowers are small and greenish, arranged in elongated inflorescences. They are usually followed by berries, which may be blue-black or dark purple when ripe. Berries are an important food source for birds, aiding seed dispersal.

Taxonomy: Catbriers belong to the family Smilacaceae and the genus Smilax, which includes a large number of species. Common North American species include Smilax rotundifolia (roundleaf greenbrier), Smilax bona-nox (catbrier), Smilax hispida (bristly greenbrier), and Smilax glauca (blue-vine).

Ecology and management: In some regions, catbriers form dense stands that crowd out other vegetation and can hinder passage through fields or along trails. Their thorns can cause skin irritation or minor injuries. Management typically involves mechanical removal, severing the network of creeping roots, and, in some cases, herbicide treatments. Re-sprouting can occur from root crowns, so follow-up control is often required.

Uses and notes: Berries and foliage are sometimes used by wildlife; historically, Smilax species have been used in traditional medicine and for beverages (sarsaparilla) in some cultures, though not all catbrier berries are edible for humans and some species may be mildly toxic.