IV b: SMILACACEAE
Genera: 10 - 12 Species: 300 - 375
Distribution: Widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere, with a few extending into north temperate regions.
Economic Uses: The roots of some species are used medicinally for the treatment of rheumatism and from another species, the stimulant China root is obtained.
Defining Features of Interest: The familiy differs from the Liliaceae in its viney and 'woody' habit and in the netted venation of the leaves, although it has sometimes been classified within it. It shares the viney habit and prickles on the stems and leaves with the closley related Dioscoriaceae. The Smilacaceae also differs in that it has long, distinctive tendrils in most cases.
Fossil Evidence: Fossil leaves and pollen in the Eocene.
Defining Morphology
Floral Features: Actinomorphic and perfect or unisexual/dioecious. Inflorescence of solitary flowers in axils, or flowers in racemes, spikes or umbels. Hypogynous (rarely epigynous).
Fruit and Seed Features: Fruit a berry. Seeds with starchless, hard endosperm.
Vegetative Features: Habit is as a prickly, twining herb, shrub or woody vine that has or lacks tendrils. Leaves are simple, entire and alternate or rarely opposite, often leathery. Sheathing at the leaf base may be modified into stipular tendrils. Venation is palmate/ reticulate.