Botanical identity
This taxon is documented in the World Checklist of Useful Plant Species with a reported medicinal use. The record establishes a use report and botanical index entry, not clinical effectiveness or individual safety.
KingdomPlantae
Phylum / divisionTracheophyta
ClassLiliopsida
OrderLiliales
FamilySmilacaceae
GenusSmilax
Scientific name with authorshipSmilax aspera L.
Indexed scientific synonyms
? balearica Willk.Smilax aspera f. balearica (Willk.) KnocheSmilax aspera f. intermedia KnocheSmilax aspera f. punctata (Kolb) RehderSmilax aspera subsp. balearica (Willk. ex A.DC.) K.Richt.Smilax aspera subsp. balearica (Willk. ex A.DC.) RomoSmilax aspera subsp. balearica (Willk.) Malag., 1973Smilax aspera subsp. mauritanica (Desf.) Malag., 1973Smilax aspera subsp. mauritanica (Poir.) Arcang.Smilax aspera subsp. nigra (Willd.) NymanSmilax aspera var. altissima Moris & De Not.Smilax aspera var. angustifolia DC.Smilax aspera var. asperaSmilax aspera var. balearica Willk.Smilax aspera var. balearica Willk. ex A.DC.Smilax aspera var. maculata (Roxb. ex D.Don) A.DC.Smilax aspera var. mauritanica (Poir.) Godr., 1855Smilax aspera var. mauritanica (Poir.) Gren.Smilax aspera var. nigra (Willd.) A.DC.Smilax aspera var. ochrocarpa A.DC.Smilax aspera var. perrottetiana A.DC.Smilax aspera var. picta Willk.Smilax aspera var. punctata KolbSmilax balearica (Willk. ex A.DC.) Burnat & BarbeySmilax brevipes Jord.Smilax capitata Buch.-Ham.Smilax capitata Buch.-Ham. ex D.DonSmilax catalonica Poir.Smilax conferta Jord.Smilax excelsa DuhamelSmilax goetzeana Engl.Smilax inermis Jord.Smilax intricatissima Jord.Smilax longipes Gand.Smilax maculata Roxb.Smilax maculata Roxb. ex D.DonSmilax mauritanica Desf.Smilax mauritanica Poir.Smilax mauritanica Webb & Berthel.Smilax mauritanica subsp. vespertilionis (Boiss.) K.Richt.Smilax mauritanica var. vespertilionis Boiss.Smilax nigra Willd.Smilax nilagirensis Steud.Smilax nilagirensis Steud. ex A.DC.Smilax oxycarpa Jord.Smilax peduncularis Jord.Smilax pendulina LoweSmilax picta K.KochSmilax platyphylla Jord.Smilax rettiana Willis ex LiveraSmilax rigida Banks & Sol.Smilax rigida Sol. ex Sm.Smilax sagittata Desv.Smilax sagittata Desv. ex Ham.Smilax sagittifolia G.Lodd.Smilax saxicola Gand.Smilax tetragona L.f.Smilax variabilis Pers.Smilax willkommii Gand.
Documented use categories
These categories describe the kinds of human-use reports attached to the taxon in the source checklist. Multiple categories can coexist; a plant may be recorded as both food and poison, depending on part, preparation and context.
How to interpret this record
Evidence boundary
A taxonomic use record is a discovery and indexing signal. Clinical evidence must be assessed separately for the exact species, plant part, preparation, route, dose and health question.
Safety boundary
Correct identification is essential. Toxicity, contraindications, interactions and safe preparation cannot be inferred from a documented-use record.
Dataset record and provenance
DatasetWCUPS 2020
LicenceCC BY 4.0
Name sourceIPNI
IPNI / external identifier541279-1
Use codesHF ME
Crop wild relativeNo
Contributing checklist sources
Kew Economic Botany CollectionEuropean Red List of Medicinal PlantsMedicinal Plant Names Services v8.2SEPASAL
Read the full dataset citation, licence and import methodology →
!Educational index, not a treatment recommendation
The presence of a taxon in this database does not provide a diagnosis, dose, formulation or assurance of safety. Some indexed plants are toxic, regulated, endangered or unsafe in specific life stages.