Smilax discotis

Smilax discotis is a deciduous climber in the Smilacaceae family. Kew describes its growth form as a scrambling shrub. It is native to China and grows in temperate regions. Its range includes Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Henan and Hubei. It also occurs in Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. In the wild, it grows in forests and thickets. It also occupies shaded sites on slopes. Recorded sites lie at 1,969–6,890 feet [600–2,100 metres] above sea level.

This plant can reach 23 feet [7 metres] in height. Its climbing form suits the edges of woodland gardens. Plants For A Future lists sunny edges and dappled shade as suitable settings. It also lists shaded woodland edges among its garden locations. The plant loses its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. The supplied species evidence gives no leaf shape or bark details. It gives no mature width, so its full spread remains unclear.

Flowers appear from May to June, with seeds ripening in October. Each plant bears either male flowers or female flowers. A lone plant cannot produce seed through self-fertilisation. Grow both sexes when seed production is the aim. The fruit is black and reaches about 0.3 inches across. Plants For A Future lists the fruit as edible. It gives the species an edibility score of one out of five. The source provides no further details on preparing or eating it.

In cultivation, this climber accepts sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil and grows in several soil types. These include sand, loam and clay. It also accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. Plants For A Future reports cold tolerance near 14°F [−10°C]. It places the plant in USDA zones 7–10. In Britain, it reports outdoor success in milder areas. This limits its use where winters bring more severe cold.

Its documented garden role centres on woodland edges and shaded planting sites. Plants For A Future records no known medicinal or other uses. It also reports no known hazards and no weed potential. A lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for every use. The supplied evidence names no species-specific pests or diseases.