NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Smilax herbacea
Common Carrionflower, Carrion-vine
Scientific Name: |
Smilax herbacea |
---|---|
Genus: |
Smilax |
Species Epithet: |
herbacea |
Common Name: |
Common Carrionflower, Carrion-vine |
Plant Type |
Herbaceous_Vine |
Life Cycle |
Annual (Herbs Only) |
Plant Family |
Smilacaceae (Greenbriar Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
1-3 ft., 3-6 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
Yellow, Green |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills |
Habitat Description: |
Moist deciduous forests. Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in the Sandhills, rare or absent in the Coastal Plain. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Annual (Herbs Only) |
Wildlife Value: |
Has some wildlife value |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
This species lacks thorns. The inflorescence is a rounded cluster of yellowish-green flowers, with an odor like decaying meat; it is pollinated by carrion flies. Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). |
Lisa Lofland Gould |
|
Links: |
https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/smilax-herbacea/ https://nc.audubon.org/conservation/bird-friendly-communities/bird-friendly-native-plants https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/smilax/herbacea/ |
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