Smilax walteri Pursh. Common name: Coral Greenbriar, Red-berried Swamp Smilax. Phenology: Late Apr-May; Sep-Nov (and persisting). Habitat: Swamp forests, bogs, wooded seeps, often where submersed for at least part of the year. Distribution: NJ south to c. peninsular FL and west to TN, AR, and TX.
ID notes: In its relatively narrow leaves, S. walteri can resemble S. smallii; S. walteri has a thicker-textured leaf, and is almost always rounded at the base rather than cuneate.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, ETx1, F, FNA26, G, GW1, K4, NS, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, Bullard & Allen (2013), Coker (1944), Judd (1998). Basionym: Smilax walteri Pursh 1814 [1813]
Links to other floras: = Smilax walteri - FNA26
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
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© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Smilax walteri, male flowers, Sumter County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Smilax walteri, male flowers (left), female flowers (right), WPT 79 Pond, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County, Florida 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Smilax walteri, fruit, Sumter County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 5-20 ft.
plant sale text: Coral greenbrier has very attractive lustrous green leaves along its thin woody stems. It produces small greenish flowers in the spring, followed by bright red berries that persist into the winter. Its small seeds were sometimes used as beads by Native Americans, giving rise to another common name, Indian coral. Its stems are variable, with some having spines, and others nearly spineless. This native species is found growing at the edge of swamps and along streams. The genus Smilax supports up to 17 lepidoptera species.
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native range: southeastern United States
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