Herbaceous Carrionflower

Smilax herbacea

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Pseudothyris sepulchralis, Phosphila turbulenta, Phosphila miselioides, Papaipema unimoda, Trichoplusia ni, Ematurga amitaria, Orthosia rubescens, Amphipyra pyramidoides, Eutrapela clemataria, Peridroma saucia
S13+S15 10 verified Eastern NA
❄️ Winter Food Source: Dark blue berries persist into autumn and are consumed by American Robin (Avian Diet Database). Illinois Wildflowers notes berries eaten by Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, and songbirds, as well as mammals including Black Bear, Virginia Opossum, and Fox Squirrel. Hemenway lists Smilax fruit as a bird resource.
S57 S10 S72

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5) and nationally N4 in Canada. Ranked S3 (Vulnerable) in Quebec where it reaches the northern edge of its range; S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. The species is uncommon in the Ottawa-Hull region according to both Gillett & White (1978) and Brunton (2005).
S22 S26 S63 S62
Rarity Ranks: QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Occupies rich deciduous woods, alluvial thickets, meadows, and forest edges, often in calcareous soils at 100-800 m elevation. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region, specimens come from floodplain forests along the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers (Lac Leamy, Champlain Bridge area) and from Plaisance reserve, growing in sugar maple and bur oak associations. A dioecious vine that relies on carrion-scented flowers to attract fly pollinators.
S6 S10 S48 S61

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor, Wildlife Habitat
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S10 keyword match: prickl (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 4 bee associations (threshold=3)] | Wildlife Habitat: S72 Hemenway (tables: 7-2, pp. 116)]
Notes: A vigorous climbing vine suited to woodland garden edges and dappled shade. Can be grown through trees, shrubs, or over tree stumps to add vertical diversity. Provides bird fruit resources (Hemenway Table 7-2) and caterpillar host habitat. Its dioecious nature means both male and female plants are needed for fruit set.
S29 S72 S10

Category: Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Burn Dressing, Dermatological Aid, Gastrointestinal Aid, Gynecological Aid, Kidney Aid, Orthopedic Aid, Pulmonary Aid
S28 Moerman categories
Notes: Extensively used by Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois, and Ojibwa peoples. Cherokee rubbed plant in brier scratches for pain and muscle cramps, used parched powdered leaves on burns and boils. Chippewa used root decoction for back pain and kidney trouble. Iroquois used compound decoction as wash and steam bath for rheumatism, and powdered root as a deodorant. Ojibwa used root for lung troubles. Omaha used fruits for hoarseness.
S28

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Leaves and young shoots eaten raw in salad or boiled as a potherb, described as a delicate and palatable vegetable. Fully ripe fruit eaten raw or used in jellies. Root can be dried, ground into powder, and used with cereals for bread or as a gelatine substitute. Cherokee and Meskwaki peoples used roots and fruit as food; Omaha ate fruits for their pleasant taste.
S29 S61 S28