VINES 463 



article of food for the half-civilized peoples of Africa and Ma- 

 laysia. The fleshy rootstocks are eaten baked, boiled, or fried. 

 These plants are cultivated in Japan, Siam, and East India islands. 



50. Greenbrier. Catbrier. Horsebrier 



Sm)lax rotundifolia. — Family, Smilax. Color, greenish. 

 Leaves, nearly round, sharply pointed, 5-nerved, thin at first, 

 becoming thick and shining, alternate, petioled. Tiine, April 

 to June. 



Flowers, of 2 sorts, regular, somewhat bell-shaped, the per- 

 ianth 6-divided, staminate with 6 stamens; pistillate with i to 

 3 stigmas and a 3-celled ovary. Fruit a round, black berry, 

 I to 3-seeded. 



The stems of this vicious vine are square, 4-angled, covered 

 with stout prickles which turn backward. Occasionally the 

 thorns are wanting. The plant climbs by means of tendrils at 

 the base of the leaf-petioles. If a catbrier bars one's way it 

 is best to turn aside. Some plants are uncompromising, and 

 this is one of them. 



Woods, New England to Florida. 



51. Hispid Greenbrier 



^S. hispida has the upper part of the stem covered with very 

 many slender, straight, fine prickles. Leaves much like the 

 last, but more heart-shaped at base, 7-nerved, with petioles. 

 Flowers in umbels on flattened peduncles. Fruit a bluish 

 black berry. Much the same range as the last. 



52. Carrion-flower 

 S. herbacea has rounded or ovate leaves, obtuse or slightly 

 heart-shaped at base, very acute at top, 7- to 9-nerved, 2 to 5 

 inches long. The stem has no prickles. Flowers in umbels, 

 many together, and they may be positively known by the car- 

 rion-like odor which they emit. 



