DOCSLIB.ORG

Saw Greenbrier Scientific Name: Smilax Bona-Nox Order

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Saw Greenbrier Scientific Name: Smilax Bona-Nox Order Common Name: Saw Greenbrier Scientific Name: Smilax bona-nox Order: Liliales Family: Smilacaceae Wetland Plant Status: Facultative Ecology & Description Saw greenbrier is shrubby vine this is a warm season perennial plant. The native deciduous plant supports long, heart-shaped leaves that fall during the fall and winter months and bloom in late winter and early spring. The stems are climbing with tendrils and tend to form thick, intertwined mottles that cannot be penetrated by livestock. Whether there is full sunlight or full shade, this vine is capable of exceeding 20 feet in length. Habitat Saw greenbrier occurs in dry, wet woods and thickets. It enjoys disturbed sites such as clear cuts, fencerows and fields that obtain a wide variety of soils such as rocky soils, loams and saturated swamp soils with a high organic matter content. Distribution Saw greenbrier exists throughout the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain, ranging from Texas to Indiana and from Virginia to Florida. Native/Invasive Status Saw greenbrier is native to the lower 48 states in the United States. It is, however, also considered to be invasive in some areas. Wildlife Uses This species is attractive to bees, butterflies and different species of birds. By animal dispersed seeds, site characteristics of saw greenbrier are very common along the southeast. Black bear (Ursus americanus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), grouse, and several bird species feed on the fruit that remains on the plants throughout the winter. White- tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and various rabbit species will also feed on the leaves and stems during the growing season. If managing for wildlife, saw greenbrier is highly valued as a food source and cover. The tender shoots and stems make excellent forage for both wildlife and livestock at a young age. The crude protein content can be as high as 40% making it very beneficial for animal health and development. The dense cover provided by the greenbrier mottles provides superb cover for northern bobwhite and other small mammals. Saw greenbrier plays an important role for wildlife in pine plantations that are also managed for wildlife. The absence of hardwood trees such as pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and many oak species makes the small vine a very sought after food source. Management & Control Techniques Saw greenbrier is controlled by prescribed fires. Prescribed burning has been suggested to benefit the desired densities for wildlife habitat and to improve its browse value.. Saw greenbrier can also be controlled by mowing when the terrain permits, or can also be hand-cut when it is confined to a small area. References Bodner, Ted, James H. Miller, and Karl V. Miller. "Plants Profile for Smilax Bona-nox (Saw Greenbrier)." Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture, 1999. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. Coon, Linnie. "Greenbriers." Native Shrubs in Wildlife Landscaping. West Virginia Non-game Wildlife Program, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. "Index of Species Information." Fire Effects Information Systems. USDA Forest Service, 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. Locke, James, and Eddie Fundergurg. Greenbrier: Identification and Management. Ardmore, OK.: Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2011. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. "PlantFiles: Greenbrier, Cowvine Smilax Bona-nox." Dave's Garden. Internet Brands Co., 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. This document was authored by Lane Cox, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University, April 2015. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Liliaceae S.L. (Lily Family)
    Liliaceae s.l. (Lily family) Photo: Ben Legler Photo: Hannah Marx Photo: Hannah Marx Lilium columbianum Xerophyllum tenax Trillium ovatum Liliaceae s.l. (Lily family) Photo: Yaowu Yuan Fritillaria lanceolata Ref.1 Textbook DVD KRR&DLN Erythronium americanum Allium vineale Liliaceae s.l. (Lily family) Herbs; Ref.2 Stems often modified as underground rhizomes, corms, or bulbs; Flowers actinomorphic; 3 sepals and 3 petals or 6 tepals, 6 stamens, 3 carpels, ovary superior (or inferior). Tulipa gesneriana Liliaceae s.l. (Lily family) “Liliaceae” s.l. (sensu lato: “in the broad sense”) - Lily family; 288 genera/4950 species, including Lilium, Allium, Trillium, Tulipa; This family is treated in a very broad sense in this class, as in the Flora of the Pacific Northwest. The “Liliaceae” s.l. taught in this class is not monophyletic. It is apparent now that the family should be treated in a narrower sense and some of the members should form their own families. Judd et al. recognize 15+ families: Agavaceae, Alliaceae, Amarylidaceae, Asparagaceae, Asphodelaceae, Colchicaceae, Dracaenaceae (Nolinaceae), Hyacinthaceae, Liliaceae, Melanthiaceae, Ruscaceae, Smilacaceae, Themidaceae, Trilliaceae, Uvulariaceae and more!!! (see web reading “Consider the Lilies”) Iridaceae (Iris family) Photo: Hannah Marx Photo: Hannah Marx Iris pseudacorus Iridaceae (Iris family) Photo: Yaowu Yuan Photo: Yaowu Yuan Sisyrinchium douglasii Sisyrinchium sp. Iridaceae (Iris family) Iridaceae - 78 genera/1750 species, Including Iris, Gladiolus, Sisyrinchium. Herbs, aquatic or terrestrial; Underground stems as rhizomes, bulbs, or corms; Leaves alternate, 2-ranked and equitant Ref.3 (oriented edgewise to the stem; Gladiolus italicus Flowers actinomorphic or zygomorphic; 3 sepals and 3 petals or 6 tepals; Stamens 3; Ovary of 3 fused carpels, inferior.
    [Show full text]
  • Caterpillars Moths Butterflies Woodies
    NATIVE Caterpillars Moths and utter flies Band host NATIVE Hackberry Emperor oodies PHOTO : Megan McCarty W Double-toothed Prominent Honey locust Moth caterpillar Hackberry Emperor larva PHOTO : Douglas Tallamy Big Poplar Sphinx Number of species of Caterpillars n a study published in 2009, Dr. Oaks (Quercus) 557 Beeches (Fagus) 127 Honey-locusts (Gleditsia) 46 Magnolias (Magnolia) 21 Double-toothed Prominent ( Nerice IDouglas W. Tallamy, Ph.D, chair of the Cherries (Prunus) 456 Serviceberry (Amelanchier) 124 New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus) 45 Buttonbush (Cephalanthus) 19 bidentata ) larvae feed exclusively on elms Department of Entomology and Wildlife Willows (Salix) 455 Larches or Tamaracks (Larix) 121 Sycamores (Platanus) 45 Redbuds (Cercis) 19 (Ulmus), and can be found June through Ecology at the University of Delaware Birches (Betula) 411 Dogwoods (Cornus) 118 Huckleberry (Gaylussacia) 44 Green-briar (Smilax) 19 October. Their body shape mimics the specifically addressed the usefulness of Poplars (Populus) 367 Firs (Abies) 117 Hackberry (Celtis) 43 Wisterias (Wisteria) 19 toothed shape of American elm, making native woodies as host plants for our Crabapples (Malus) 308 Bayberries (Myrica) 108 Junipers (Juniperus) 42 Redbay (native) (Persea) 18 them hard to spot. The adult moth is native caterpillars (and obviously Maples (Acer) 297 Viburnums (Viburnum) 104 Elders (Sambucus) 42 Bearberry (Arctostaphylos) 17 small with a wingspan of 3-4 cm. therefore moths and butterflies). Blueberries (Vaccinium) 294 Currants (Ribes) 99 Ninebark (Physocarpus) 41 Bald cypresses (Taxodium) 16 We present here a partial list, and the Alders (Alnus) 255 Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya) 94 Lilacs (Syringa) 40 Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne) 15 Honey locust caterpillar feeds on honey number of Lepidopteran species that rely Hickories (Carya) 235 Hemlocks (Tsuga) 92 Hollies (Ilex) 39 Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron) 15 locust, and Kentucky coffee trees.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts
    The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist • First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Somers Bruce Sorrie and Paul Connolly, Bryan Cullina, Melissa Dow Revision • First A County Checklist Plants of Massachusetts: Vascular The A County Checklist First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is one of the programs forming the Natural Heritage network. NHESP is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. The Program's highest priority is protecting the 176 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 259 species of native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts. Endangered species conservation in Massachusetts depends on you! A major source of funding for the protection of rare and endangered species comes from voluntary donations on state income tax forms. Contributions go to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund, which provides a portion of the operating budget for the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. NHESP protects rare species through biological inventory,
    [Show full text]
  • Arthur Monrad Johnson Colletion of Botanical Drawings
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7489r5rb No online items Arthur Monrad Johnson colletion of botanical drawings 1914-1941 Processed by Pat L. Walter. Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections Division History and Special Collections Division UCLA 12-077 Center for Health Sciences Box 951798 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1798 Phone: 310/825-6940 Fax: 310/825-0465 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/biomed/his/ ©2008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Arthur Monrad Johnson colletion 48 1 of botanical drawings 1914-1941 Descriptive Summary Title: Arthur Monrad Johnson colletion of botanical drawings, Date (inclusive): 1914-1941 Collection number: 48 Creator: Johnson, Arthur Monrad 1878-1943 Extent: 3 boxes (2.5 linear feet) Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections Division Los Angeles, California 90095-1490 Abstract: Approximately 1000 botanical drawings, most in pen and black ink on paper, of the structural parts of angiosperms and some gymnosperms, by Arthur Monrad Johnson. Many of the illustrations have been published in the author's scientific publications, such as his "Taxonomy of the Flowering Plants" and articles on the genus Saxifraga. Dr. Johnson was both a respected botanist and an accomplished artist beyond his botanical subjects. Physical location: Collection stored off-site (Southern Regional Library Facility): Advance notice required for access. Language of Material: Collection materials in English Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Arthur Monrad Johnson colletion of botanical drawings (Manuscript collection 48). Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections Division, University of California, Los Angeles.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin of Natural History ®
    FLORI'IDA MUSEUM BULLETIN OF NATURAL HISTORY ® A MIDDLE EOCENE FOSSIL PLANT ASSEMBLAGE (POWERS CLAY PIT) FROM WESTERN TENNESSEE DavidL. Dilcher and Terry A. Lott Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 1-43 2005 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE - The FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HiSTORY is Florida«'s state museum of natural history, dedicated to understanding, preser¥ingrand interpreting].biologica[1 diversity and culturafheritage. The BULLETIN OF THE FLORIDA- MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY is a peer-reviewed publication thatpziblishes.the result5 of origifial reseafchin zodlogy, botany, paleontology, and archaeology. Address all inquiries t6 the Managing Editor ofthe Bulletin. Numbers,ofthe Bulletin,afe,published,at itregular intervals. Specific volumes are not'necessarily completed in anyone year. The end of a volume willl·be noted at the foot of the first page ofthe last issue in that volume. Richard Franz, Managing Editor Erika H. Simons, Production BulletinCommittee Richard Franz,,Chairperson Ann Cordell Sarah Fazenbaker Richard Hulbert WilliamMarquardt Susan Milbrath Irvy R. Quitmyer - Scott Robinson, Ex 01#cio Afember ISSN: 0071-6154 Publication Date: October 31,2005 Send communications concerning purchase or exchange of the publication and manustfipt queries to: Managing Editor of the BULLETIN Florida MuseumofNatural-History University offlorida PO Box 117800 Gainesville, FL 32611 -7800 U.S.A. Phone: 352-392-1721 Fax: 352-846-0287 e-mail: [email protected] A MIDDLE EOCENE FOSSIL PLANT ASSEMBLAGE (POWERS CLAY PIT) FROM WESTERN TENNESSEE David L. Dilcher and Terry A. Lottl ABSTRACT Plant megafossils are described, illustrated and discussed from Powers Clay Pit, occurring in the middle Eocene, Claiborne Group of the Mississippi Embayment in western Tennessee.
    [Show full text]
  • Cytological Observations on Some W. Himalayan Monocots Ll
    Cytologia 41: 5-22, 1976 Cytological Observations on some W. Himalayan Monocots ll. Smilacaceae, Liliaceae and Trilliaceae P. N. Mehra and S. K. Sachdeva Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India Received May 16, 1974 Hutchinson (1959) segregated most of the woody non-xerophytic members from the former family Liliaceae and placed them into several distinct families like Smila caceae, Ruscaceae and Philesiaceae and also raised the tribe Parideae of Krause (1930) to the family level designated as Trilliaceae. The family Liliaceae (sensu Hutchinson) now consists of 250 genera and 3,700 species, while the family Smilaca ceae includes 4 genera and 375 species (Willis 1966). The family Trilliaceae is the smallest of the three being comprised of 4 genera and 53 species (Willis l.c.). A perusal of the literature reveals that cytological data on Smilacaceae are rather meagre, but the families Liliaceae and Trilliaceae have been fairly well studied as they provide ideal material for such investigations. Although a number of reports on the cytology of Indian members have appeared, several W. Himalayan taxa are still unexplored. In order to fill this gap the present study was undertaken. This communication presents cytological data on 17 taxa of this region. Materials and methods The materials were collected from nature in the W. Himalayas. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh. For meiotic studies flower buds were fixed in 1:3 acetic alcohol with an addition of a little chloroform for a period of about 24 hours and then transferred to 95% alcohol.
    [Show full text]
  • Full of Beans: a Study on the Alignment of Two Flowering Plants Classification Systems
    Full of beans: a study on the alignment of two flowering plants classification systems Yi-Yun Cheng and Bertram Ludäscher School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA {yiyunyc2,ludaesch}@illinois.edu Abstract. Advancements in technologies such as DNA analysis have given rise to new ways in organizing organisms in biodiversity classification systems. In this paper, we examine the feasibility of aligning two classification systems for flowering plants using a logic-based, Region Connection Calculus (RCC-5) ap- proach. The older “Cronquist system” (1981) classifies plants using their mor- phological features, while the more recent Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (APG IV) (2016) system classifies based on many new methods including ge- nome-level analysis. In our approach, we align pairwise concepts X and Y from two taxonomies using five basic set relations: congruence (X=Y), inclusion (X>Y), inverse inclusion (X<Y), overlap (X><Y), and disjointness (X!Y). With some of the RCC-5 relationships among the Fabaceae family (beans family) and the Sapindaceae family (maple family) uncertain, we anticipate that the merging of the two classification systems will lead to numerous merged solutions, so- called possible worlds. Our research demonstrates how logic-based alignment with ambiguities can lead to multiple merged solutions, which would not have been feasible when aligning taxonomies, classifications, or other knowledge or- ganization systems (KOS) manually. We believe that this work can introduce a novel approach for aligning KOS, where merged possible worlds can serve as a minimum viable product for engaging domain experts in the loop. Keywords: taxonomy alignment, KOS alignment, interoperability 1 Introduction With the advent of large-scale technologies and datasets, it has become increasingly difficult to organize information using a stable unitary classification scheme over time.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Pliocene Smilax (Smilacaceae) Leaves from Southwest China: Phytogeo- Graphical and Paleoecological Implications
    ÔØ ÅÒÙ×Ö ÔØ Late Pliocene Smilax (Smilacaceae) leaves from Southwest China: Phytogeo- graphical and paleoecological implications Jing-Yu Wu, Yu-Sheng (Christopher) Liu, Su-Ting Ding, Jun Li, Peng- Cheng An PII: S0034-6667(16)30158-0 DOI: doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2017.02.006 Reference: PALBO 3841 To appear in: Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology Received date: 26 August 2016 Revised date: 19 February 2017 Accepted date: 20 February 2017 Please cite this article as: Wu, Jing-Yu, Liu, Yu-Sheng (Christopher), Ding, Su-Ting, Li, Jun, An, Peng-Cheng, Late Pliocene Smilax (Smilacaceae) leaves from Southwest China: Phytogeographical and paleoecological implications, Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology (2017), doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2017.02.006 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Late Pliocene Smilax (Smilacaceae) leaves from Southwest China: phytogeographical and paleoecological implications Jing-Yu Wua,b*, Yu-Sheng (Christopher) Liuc, Su-Ting Dinga,b, Jun Lia, Peng-Cheng Ana a Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources in Western China (Gansu Province), School of Earth Sciences, and College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China b State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China cOffice of Research and Graduate Studies, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA *Correspondence (Email: [email protected]).
    [Show full text]
  • Greenbrier (Catbrier) Family
    SMILACACEAE – GREENBRIER (CATBRIER) FAMILY Plant: mostly woody vines, some herbs and shrubs Stem: often with tendrils, spines common in some Root: often with tubers Leaves: evergreen, mostly simple, alternate (sometimes opposite) and entire; one veined or mostly 3-7 curved, parallel main veins with net veins between; tendrils often present, stipules present or not Flowers: mostly dioecious, some perfect; flower parts (tepals) in 3’s in 2 cycles of 6; stamens vary but often 6; ovary superior Fruit: berry, 1-6 but often 3 seeds Other: Carrion Flower is the only non-woody greenbrier in the area; Monocotyledons Group Genera: 3-12 (uncertain); locally Smilax (greenbrier or catbrier) WARNING – family descriptions are only a layman’s guide and should not be used as definitive SMILACACEAE – GREENBRIER (CATBRIER) FAMILY Saw [Fringed] Greenbrier; Smilax bona-nox L. Upright Carrion-Flower; Smilax ecirrhata (Engelm. Ex Kunth) S. Watson Cat Greenbrier [Sawbrier]; Smilax glauca Walter Smooth Carrion-Flower; Smilax herbacea L. Illinois Greenbrier; Smilax illinoensis Mangaly Round Leaved [Common] Greenbrier; Smilax rotundifolia L. Bristly Greenbrier [Catbrier]; Smilax tamnoides L. Saw [Fringed] Greenbrier USDA Smilax bona-nox L. Smilacaceae (Greenbrier Family) Tybee Island, Georgia Notes: flower with 6 tepals, greenish; leaves alternate, simple, often hastate (arrowhead shaped) or at least with a deltoid base, leaf margins thickened and spinose, tip sharp-pointed; stem green, at least 1+ angled and spinose; fruits dark blue to black; late spring to summer
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolutionary and Biogeographic Origin and Diversification of the Tropical Monocot Order Zingiberales
    Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany Volume 22 | Issue 1 Article 49 2006 The volutE ionary and Biogeographic Origin and Diversification of the Tropical Monocot Order Zingiberales W. John Kress Smithsonian Institution Chelsea D. Specht Smithsonian Institution; University of California, Berkeley Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/aliso Part of the Botany Commons Recommended Citation Kress, W. John and Specht, Chelsea D. (2006) "The vE olutionary and Biogeographic Origin and Diversification of the Tropical Monocot Order Zingiberales," Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 49. Available at: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/aliso/vol22/iss1/49 Zingiberales MONOCOTS Comparative Biology and Evolution Excluding Poales Aliso 22, pp. 621-632 © 2006, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden THE EVOLUTIONARY AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN AND DIVERSIFICATION OF THE TROPICAL MONOCOT ORDER ZINGIBERALES W. JOHN KRESS 1 AND CHELSEA D. SPECHT2 Department of Botany, MRC-166, United States National Herbarium, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, USA 1Corresponding author ([email protected]) ABSTRACT Zingiberales are a primarily tropical lineage of monocots. The current pantropical distribution of the order suggests an historical Gondwanan distribution, however the evolutionary history of the group has never been analyzed in a temporal context to test if the order is old enough to attribute its current distribution to vicariance mediated by the break-up of the supercontinent. Based on a phylogeny derived from morphological and molecular characters, we develop a hypothesis for the spatial and temporal evolution of Zingiberales using Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis (DIVA) combined with a local molecular clock technique that enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple gene loci with multiple calibration points.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary List of the Vascular Plants and Wildlife at the Village Of
    A Floristic Evaluation of the Natural Plant Communities and Grounds Occurring at The Key West Botanical Garden, Stock Island, Monroe County, Florida Steven W. Woodmansee [email protected] January 20, 2006 Submitted by The Institute for Regional Conservation 22601 S.W. 152 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33170 George D. Gann, Executive Director Submitted to CarolAnn Sharkey Key West Botanical Garden 5210 College Road Key West, Florida 33040 and Kate Marks Heritage Preservation 1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20005 Introduction The Key West Botanical Garden (KWBG) is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island, Monroe County, Florida. It is a 7.5 acre conservation area, owned by the City of Key West. The KWBG requested that The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) conduct a floristic evaluation of its natural areas and grounds and to provide recommendations. Study Design On August 9-10, 2005 an inventory of all vascular plants was conducted at the KWBG. All areas of the KWBG were visited, including the newly acquired property to the south. Special attention was paid toward the remnant natural habitats. A preliminary plant list was established. Plant taxonomy generally follows Wunderlin (1998) and Bailey et al. (1976). Results Five distinct habitats were recorded for the KWBG. Two of which are human altered and are artificial being classified as developed upland and modified wetland. In addition, three natural habitats are found at the KWBG. They are coastal berm (here termed buttonwood hammock), rockland hammock, and tidal swamp habitats. Developed and Modified Habitats Garden and Developed Upland Areas The developed upland portions include the maintained garden areas as well as the cleared parking areas, building edges, and paths.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Data and Phylogeny of Family Smilacaceae
    Pak. J. Bot., Special Issue (S.I. Ali Festschrift) 42: 111-116, 2010. MOLECULAR DATA AND PHYLOGENY OF FAMILY SMILACACEAE ZABTA K. SHINWARI1 AND SHEHLA SHINWARI2 1Dept. of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University-Islamabad 2Dept. of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi Abstract Family Smilacaceae’s higher order taxonomy remained disputed for many years. It was treated as an order “Smilacales” and was also placed under Liliales by several taxonomists. Even some considered as part of family Liliacaeae. In present paper, we investigated the family’s higher order phylogeny and also compared its rbcL gene sequence data with related taxa to elucidate its phylogeny. The data suggests that its family stature is beyond dispute because of its advanced karyotype, woody climbing habit and DNA sequence data. The data suggest that Smilacaceae may be a sister group of order Liliales and it forms a clear clade with the order. Introduction The Family Smilacaceae was first recognized by Vent. However, its taxonomic status remained controversial. Smilacaceae is a small family with only 3 genera and about 320 species. (Mabberley 2008, Conran,1998) In Pakistan it is represented by one genus and 4 species including a cultivated species (Ghazanfar, 1977). This family is mainly distributed in tropics but extending to temperate regions of both the hemispheres. Bantham and Hooker, (1883); Krause (1930) considered the genera of Smilacaceae under tribe Polygonatae of the family Liliaceae But majority of the present day taxonomists treat them under an independent family Smilacaceae because of its petiolar sheath tendrils, 1-chambered anther cells, sessile stigmas and mostly climbing habit (Fig.
    [Show full text]