L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156495
Element CodePMSMI01090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilySmilacaceae
GenusSmilax
SynonymsSmilax herbacea var. herbacea
Other Common NamesHerbaceous Carrionflower (EN) Smilax herbacé (FR) smooth carrionflower (EN) Smooth Carrion-flower (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-01-10
Change Date1984-03-29
Edition Date2025-01-10
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSmilax herbacea is a perennial herb or vine occurring in woods, alluvial thickets, and meadows of North America from Ontario and North Dakota east to New Brunswick, south to Georgia and Texas in Canada and the United States. There are over 1,500 estimated occurrences rangewide, which are potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Smilax herbacea is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSmilax herbacea occurs in eastern North America from Ontario and North Dakota east to New Brunswick, south to Georgia and Texas (Kartesz 1996, FNA 2002, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 1,500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Smilax herbacea is potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.