Difference between revisions of "Smilax pumila"

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Common names: sarsparilla vine, dwarf smilax
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Common names: Sarsparilla vine, Dwarf smilax
 
==Taxonomic notes==
 
==Taxonomic notes==
 
==Description==  
 
==Description==  
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==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
 
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, ''S. pumila'' can be found along slopes, steep banks near rivers, ''Ilex'' woods, and in shaded forested floodplains (FSU Herbarium). Soil types include loamy sand and loamy soil (FSU Herbarium).
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In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, ''S. pumila'' can be found along slopes, steep banks near rivers, ''Ilex'' woods, and in shaded forested floodplains.<ref name="FSU Herbarium">Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: [http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu]. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: C. Anderson, Rodie White, Robert K. Godfrey, R. Komarek, Annie Schmidt. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Leon, Liberty. Georgia: Grady. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.</ref> Soil types include loamy sand and loamy soil.<ref name="FSU Herbarium"/>
 
 
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
It has been observed blooming and flowering in November (FSU Herbarium).
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It has been observed to flower and fruit in November.<ref name="FSU Herbarium"/><ref>Nelson, G.  [http://www.gilnelson.com/ PanFlora]: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/  Accessed: 19 MAY 2021</ref>
 
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<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
 
<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
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===Fire ecology=== <!--Fire tolerance, fire dependence, adaptive fire responses-->
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Populations of ''Smilax pumila'' have been known to persist through repeated annual burns.<ref>Robertson, K.M. Unpublished data collected from Pebble Hill Fire Plots, Pebble Hill Plantation, Thomasville, Georgia.</ref>
 
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<!--===Pollination===-->  
<!--===Use by animals===--> <!--Herbivory, granivory, insect hosting, etc.-->
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<!--===Herbivory and toxicology===<!--Common herbivores, granivory, insect hosting, poisonous chemicals, allelopathy, etc-->
 
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<!--===Diseases and parasites===-->
==Conservation and management==
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==Cultivation and restoration==
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==Conservation, cultivation, and restoration==
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==Cultural use==
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There are many species of ''Smilax'' and it is thought they can all be used in similar ways. Historically, the roots were harvested and prepared in a red flour or a thick jelly that could be used in candies and sweet drinks. Our first known written account of using the plant roots to make this jelly is from the journal of Captain John Smith in 1626. Other travelers throughout US history have made note of the uses of ''Smilax'' plants. We know the flour was used in breads and soups, and that a drink very similar to Sarsaparilla could be prepared.<ref> Fernald, et al. 1958. Edible Plants of Eastern North America. Harper and Row Publishers, New York.</ref>
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==Photo Gallery==
 
==Photo Gallery==
 
<gallery widths=180px>
 
<gallery widths=180px>
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
==References and notes==
 
==References and notes==
Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: [http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu]. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: C. Anderson, Rodie White, Robert K. Godfrey, R. Komarek, Annie Schmidt. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Leon, Liberty. Georgia: Grady. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
 

Latest revision as of 12:05, 15 July 2022

Smilax pumila
Smilax pumila PHFP A 2015-05-18 KMR.jpg
Photo taken by Kevin Robertson
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species: S. pumila
Binomial name
Smilax pumila
Walter
SMIL PUMI dist.jpg
Natural range of Smilax pumila from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common names: Sarsparilla vine, Dwarf smilax

Taxonomic notes

Description

A description of Smilax pumila is provided in The Flora of North America.

Distribution

Ecology

Habitat

In the Coastal Plain in Florida and Georgia, S. pumila can be found along slopes, steep banks near rivers, Ilex woods, and in shaded forested floodplains.[1] Soil types include loamy sand and loamy soil.[1]

Phenology

It has been observed to flower and fruit in November.[1][2]

Fire ecology

Populations of Smilax pumila have been known to persist through repeated annual burns.[3]

Conservation, cultivation, and restoration

Cultural use

There are many species of Smilax and it is thought they can all be used in similar ways. Historically, the roots were harvested and prepared in a red flour or a thick jelly that could be used in candies and sweet drinks. Our first known written account of using the plant roots to make this jelly is from the journal of Captain John Smith in 1626. Other travelers throughout US history have made note of the uses of Smilax plants. We know the flour was used in breads and soups, and that a drink very similar to Sarsaparilla could be prepared.[4]

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: C. Anderson, Rodie White, Robert K. Godfrey, R. Komarek, Annie Schmidt. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Leon, Liberty. Georgia: Grady. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
  2. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 19 MAY 2021
  3. Robertson, K.M. Unpublished data collected from Pebble Hill Fire Plots, Pebble Hill Plantation, Thomasville, Georgia.
  4. Fernald, et al. 1958. Edible Plants of Eastern North America. Harper and Row Publishers, New York.