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 



SnDlax rotundifolia. — Family, Smilax. Color, greenish. 

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

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

 to June. 



Flowers, of 2 sorts, regular, somewhat bell-s"haped, 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-petnoles. 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 



5. hispida has the upper part of the stem 'covered with very 

 many slender, straight, fine prickles. Lea.ves much like the 

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

 Flowers in umbels on flattened peduncles. Ffuit a bluish 

 black berry. Much the same range as the last. 



52. Carrion-flower 



5. herbctcea 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. 



