| Lawyer vine | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Smilacaceae |
| Genus: | Smilax |
| Species: | S. australis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Smilax australis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Smilax australis (lawyer vine, austral sarsaparilla, barbwire vine, or "wait-a-while") is a vine in the family Smilacaceae, endemic to Australia. It has prickly climbing stems that are up to 8 metres long with coiled tendrils that are up to 20 cm long.[2] The glossy leaves have 5 prominent longitudinal veins and are 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 10 cm wide.[2][3]
Distribution[edit]
The species occurs in rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heathland in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,[2] Lord Howe Island, and the northeastern corner of Western Australia.[4][1]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ a b c G.J. Hardin. "New South Wales Flora Online: Smilax australis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^ Atlas of Living Australia, Smilax australis R.Br., Austral Sarsaparilla
- ^ "Smilax australis R.Br". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.