Smilax maritima aka Smilax Maritima

Smilax maritima is a woody vine with leaves all year. It belongs to the Smilacaceae family and lives for many years. Its names include Jacksonvine, bamboo vine, and southern smilax. It is native from the southeastern coastal plains to eastern Texas. North Carolina State lists it in several southern and eastern states. It twines as it climbs and grips supports with tendrils. These are thin parts that coil around a support. It climbs less high than other smilax vines. It also spreads with less force and has fewer prickles.

The green stems zigzag and are round in cross-section. Most feel smooth, but some have prickles. Lower stems may have prickles; most upper growth has none. The stem base can turn orange-red with age. Older bark turns from green to greenish brown. Shiny green leaves grow one at each node on the stems. Each leaf has a smooth edge and three clear veins. Some leaves are narrow and shaped like spoons. Others are longer and oblong, with a stretched oval shape. Leaf blades are about 0.25–0.33 feet [0.08–0.10 metres] long.

Small green-yellow flowers bloom in spring and summer. They grow where the leaves join the stems. They form umbels, clusters with stalks from one point. Each cluster has five to eight flowers. Each flower has six parts called tepals. Each flower is less than one inch across. The fruit is a purple-black berry with a pale surface bloom. Long stalks hold berries with two or three seeds each. The fruits add interest in fall and winter. Birds and mammals eat them, so plantings help feed wildlife.

Grow this vine in full sun or part shade. It likes moist, acidic soil and can grow in sand. It grows at a moderate rate. North Carolina State lists USDA hardiness zones 6b through 10b. It suits coastal gardens, meadows, and areas left to grow wild. It can climb trellises and fill other upright spaces. Its year-round leaves can form a screen for privacy. Florists use the shiny leaves in their flower displays. Upper stems have few prickles, which makes them easier to handle.

Prickles on lower growth can still make it hard to handle. The plant also has a high fire-risk rating. North Carolina State says its tuber is edible. The same source lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.