4-21 Smilacaceae, catbrier family

Abstract

Four genera include about 375 species throughout the tropical and subtropical world. A few are temperate. Nova Scotia has a single species, here limited to southwestern counties. They may be shrubs, herbs or vines, perennial and rhizomatous. The leaves are opposite or alternate and prominently three-ribbed. The flowers are generally imperfect, borne in umbels, less often in racemes or spikes. The species are dioecious. Tepals number six, rarely forming a tube. Stamens are arranged in 2–3 whorls. Fruits are baccate bearing 1–3 seeds.