Smilax n 1: sometimes placed in Smilacaceae [syn: {Smilax}, {genus Smilax}] 2: fragile twining plant of South Africa with bright green flattened stems and glossy foliage popular as a floral decoration [syn: {smilax}, {Asparagus asparagoides}]
Smilax \Smi"lax\, n. [L., bindweed, Gr. ???.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of perennial climbing plants, usually with a prickly woody stem; green brier, or cat brier. The rootstocks of certain species are the source of the medicine called sarsaparilla. (b) A delicate trailing plant ({Myrsiphyllum asparagoides}) much used for decoration. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. [1913 Webster]