Re: Sarsparilla
The native California smilax, S. californica, grows in the understory of
riparian vegetation where it scrambles about the ground and occasionally
climbs up through a shrub. Rocky but fertile soil, and shade in a hot
climate.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Poole <dave-poole@ilsham.demon.co.uk>
To: Mediterannean Plants List <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Date: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 2:40 AM
Subject: Sarsparilla
>Earlier this year, I was sent a very odd looking seedling, barely an
>inch high. Seed had been collected in Corfu the previous autumn and a
>few plants of this, together with an as yet unidentified Yucca arose
>from late winter sowings. At first it was difficult to identify, but
>as its leaves developed it became apparent that this is Smilax aspera
>'Maculata' a lightly variegated form of 'Prickly Ivy' or
>'Sarsparilla'.
>
>The glossy, unequally heart shaped, leathery leaves with their
>accompanying pair of tendrils at the base of the petiole are lightly
>mottled with paler green in a most attractive fashion. Does anyone
>know whether this form is a geographical variant more commonly found
>in the eastern mediterranean or does it occur sporadically throughout
>its range?
>
>After a rather slow start where the initial shoot struggled to about
>three inches high, a second, more vigorous shoot appeared from the
>rootstock which given support, has scrambled to over 2 feet in a very
>few weeks. I understand that the young shoots are also eaten like
>asparagus. I've yet to decide whether to plant this in a 'wild area'
>or give it a more 'select' position. I suspect it will be happier
>growing in the thin, rubbly soil of my dump area where it can drape
>itself over the various shrubs growing there.
>
>Dave Poole
>TORQUAY UK
>
>
