Smilax australis – Lawyer Vine Potted Plant

A real climber with spiny stems, this native is excellent for growing on fences.
It has clusters of creamy-green flowers with male and female flowers on separate plants, from July to November followed by a globular black berry that is quite edible and a bit peppery.

This vine should not be confused with Smilax glyciphylla, commonly called Sarsaparilla Vine or Native Sarsaparilla.
While many sites have Similax australis listed as Native Sarsaparilla, it is NOT and chemically bears no relationship to Similax glyciphylla.

The leaves can be sucked to relieve a dry mouth but it does not make a pleasant tea.