Smilax tamnoides aka Bristly Greenbrier

Smilax tamnoides, also known as bristly greenbrier, is a North American species of climbing, prickly vine that is native to the United States and Canada. It can be found from Ontario and New York State all the way down to Texas and Florida. While it has been referred to as Smilax hispida in some publications, the older name of Smilax tamnoides is the preferred name due to botanical rules of priority. The plant uses tendrils to climb over shrubs or the lower branches of trees, and both male and female plants must be grown to produce seed as it is a dioecious species. The flowers of Smilax tamnoides are small and green to brown, and can be found in umbels. The fruits of the plant are blue to black, but do not have the waxy coating typically found on other species of the genus.