Found throughout coastal Queensland and on some off-shore islands.

Greenbrier - Smilax australis - Photo by Alex Pawlow

GREENBRIER is a tough climber, ascending to considerable heights and often occurs along the rainforest verge. The wiry stems are sprinkled with prickles and woe betide the unfortunate soul who tangles in it.

Clusters of tiny fragile pale green flowers form on axillary penduncles. The flowers are dioecious, meaning that the male and female flowers are on distinct plants.

The new growth of GREENBRIER is the familiar red which is so common in the leaves of rainforest species. Small birds consider the GREENBRIER a valuable retreat for the prickles are a deterrent against some predators...especially cats.

The hard shining seeds are slow to germinate.

It is possible that GREENBRIER was used for its medicinal properties in the same manner as NATIVE SARSPARILLA (Smilax Glycyphylla). It was one of the first plants used medicinally by the very early settlers. Prepared as a tea it was recommended as a prevention of scurvy.