geet 
425 
thick, composed of 2 or 3 nodes, frequently massed together con- 
glomerately, and throwing out numerous, strong fibrous roots.* 
Stem terete, the branches and branchlets angled, often some- 
what quadrangular, armed with rather stout, scattered or numerous 
prickles which are straight or a little recurved, sometimes flat; 
more commonly the branches are naked. Petioles 3-6’ long 
Blades glaucous beneath and sometimes also above as well as are 
the branches, commonly ovate, sometimes oblong-lanceolate or 
slightly panduriform, rounded or occasionally cordate or subcor- 
date at base, abruptly acute or cuspidate at the apex, smooth 
on the margins, lineolate or often opaque, 114’-6’ long, %4’-5’ 
wide, mostly 5-nerved, occasionally with an additional obscure mar- 
ginal nerve on each side. Peduncles flattened, 6’”~16” long, 6-12- 
flowered. Pedicels 2/4” long. Segments of the male perianth 
%, to % longer then the stamens, Anthers longer than the fila 
ments. Berries bluish-black, shining, about 3’ in diameter, 2-3- 
seeded. 
— Smilax spinulosa J. E. Smith (Torr. Fl. N. Y. 2: 303), is a form 
| of this species quite common on Staten and Long Islands, and in 
other parts of New York. It is distinguished by the numerous 
small prickles on the lower part of the stem, and leaves often 
elongated or slightly panduriform. The leaves of S. glauca are 
often clothed below with a minute scurfy pubescence, as well as a 
glaucous bloom. The berries also are frequently glaucous, especi- 
ally in dried specimens not fully mature. 
In general the species may be readily recognized by its ovate 
S-nerved, strongly glaucous leaves, and its comparatively few 
flowers and fruit and short pedicels. 
Dry or sandy grounds. Nantucket to Florida and Texas, west 
to Kansas. Occurs also in Mexico. May-June. 
5. SMILax RorunpiFo.ta L. Sp. Pl. 1030 (1753)- 
Smilax caduca 1. Sp. Pl. 1030 (1753). 
Smilax quadrangularis Muhl.; Willd. Sp. Pl. 4: 775 (1806). 
Rootstocks running for a long distance just under the surface 
of the ground, sparingly furnished with tubers like those of 
S. glauca, but seldom massed as in that species.} Glabrous. Stem 
: * These tubers are described and figured by Mr. Theodore Holm in “ Contribu- 
tions to the knowledge of the germination of some North American plants,” Memoirs 
orr. Club, 2: 84. 124-126, 
+The tubers of this species are described and figured in the work of Mr. Holm, 
above cited, Facet ree ms pe’: 
