Mostly prickly climber. Leaves with blades ovate to broadly elliptic, 5-15 cm long, 3-10 cm wide, leathery, 5-veined with prominent netted veins; stalk twisted, tendrils coiling and to 20 cm long. Flower cluster stalks 1.5-2.5 cm long; spring to early summer. Flower segments creamy green, sometimes reddish in bud. Fruit a berry 6-10 mm wide containing 1-2 shiny black seeds.

S. glyciphylla Sm., Sweet Sarsaparilla (Native Sarsaparilla), from NT, Qld and NSW is also occasionally sold.

NT, Qld, NSW, Vic, Lord Howe Island.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Smilacaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.