For all greenbriers, see Smilax spp. / Greenbrier
Smilax bona-nox L.
Saw greenbrier, bullbrier, catbrier, zarzaparilla
Location in Texas: very common in Travis Co.
Form: vine, semi-woody / herbaceous; perennial.
Flowers: Mar-May (green).
Food
Root – Berlandier refers to this plant as Zarzaparilla (Ohlendorf et al. 1980:567), in reference to its root being used to prepare the flavorful beverage Sarsaparilla, for which other species in this genus are known.
Medicine
Leaves – used to wrap cigarettes by the Comanche (Carlson and Jones 1939:537)
Experimentation
The young growing tips of the vine are mild-flavored, crisp, and pleasant to eat. I have eaten them countless times for 3 decades. Lengths of about 6 inches and up to 1 foot are soft and crisp. The older foliage becomes too fibrous and hard to eat.
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