Nipponica Greenbrier (Smilax nipponica)

Family: Smilacaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Smilax nipponica is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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, Berries, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus. Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc. Used when fully ripe. The blue-black berries are 6 - 7mm in diameter. Root - cooked. — Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus.; Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc.; Used when fully ripe.; The blue-black berries are 6 - 7mm in diameter.

Habitat & North American Range

Meadows and thickets in mountains, C. and S. Japan. Forests, grassy slopes, moist places along streams at elevations of 200 - 1400 metres in China. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)