tufuling (Smilax glabra)

Family: Smilacaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Smilax glabra is a deciduous Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from July to November, and the seeds ripen from November to April. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Root - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder. The root contains nearly 70% starch. Fruit. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter. No more details are given. — It can be dried and ground into a powder.; The root contains nearly 70% starch.; The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter.; No more details are given.

Habitat & North American Range

Thickets in uplands, W. China. Forests, thickets, thinly forested slopes along valleys, river banks at elevations of 300 - 1800 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)