BLACK OR DARK PURPLE 169 



length that of the petiole. They are one- to 

 three-seeded. September and often persistent. . 



Leaves. — The leaves are ovate or round-ovate, 

 somewhat heart-shaped or rounded at the base, 

 and abruptly pointed at the apex. They are 

 leathery, shining when mature, green on both 

 sides, entire, and smooth. Tendrils grow from 

 the leaf stems and are modified forms of stipules. 



Flowers. — Small, yellowish green, dioecious 

 flowers grow in rather small clusters on short 

 cluster-stems. April-June. 



This Greenbrier is quite common. Its yellow- 

 ish green stem is round and the branches are 

 somewhat four-angled. It sometimes grows as 

 long as forty feet, and is generally armed 

 throughout with stout prickles. It grows in 

 moist places from New England to Georgia 

 and as far west as Minnesota. 



HISPID GREENBRIER 

 Smilax hispida Smilax Family 



Fruit. — The bluish black berries are in umbels, 

 borne on stems that are over twice as long as the 

 leaf stems. They are one- to three-seeded. 



