Smilax calophylla Wall. ex A.DC.

Wallich, N. ex Candolle, A.L.P.P. de in Candolle A.C.P. de & Candolle, A.L.P.P. de (1878) Monographiae Phanerogamarum 1 : 60. Type: Singapore, N. Wallich; holo: ?.

Sarsaparilla

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm.

Leaf blades about 8.5-11 x 3.2-5.7 cm, petioles about 1.2-2 cm long. Stipules attached to the petioles. Stipules often extended to form tendrils.

Flowers about 5 mm diam. Tepals three + three in two whorls, each tepal about 3 mm long. Stamens five, filaments about 1.6 mm long.

Fruits globose, about 8-9 mm diam. Seeds one or two per fruit, each seed about 4-5 x 4-5 mm. Embryo about 1 mm long, thicker at one end.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range in CYP and NEQ from near sea level to 900 m Grows in beach forest , monsoon forest, mountain rain forest and gallery forest. Also found in Malesia.

This species may have medicinal properties.