1. smilax(n = noun.plant) genus smilax - sometimes placed in Smilacaceae;
is a kind of liliid monocot genus
is a member of family liliaceae, liliaceae, lily family
2. smilax(n = noun.plant) asparagus asparagoides - fragile twining plant of South Africa with bright green flattened stems and glossy foliage popular as a floral decoration;
is a kind of vine
is a member of genus asparagus
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. [1913 Webster]
smilax, n.
1 any climbing shrub of the genus Smilax, the roots of some species of which yield sarsaparilla.
2 a climbing kind of asparagus, Asparagus medeoloides, used decoratively by florists.
Etymology:
L f. Gk, = bindweed