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Glite Dictionary
Smilax aspera

Smilax aspera

9.9
A climbing or spreading evergreen plant with spiny stems and shiny leaves
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Smilax aspera
  • Gardeners sometimes cultivate Smilax aspera for its attractive, glossy leaves and unusual flowers.

Examples

  • The dense thickets of Smilax aspera made it difficult to walk through the Mediterranean forest.

  • Researchers studied the medicinal properties of Smilax aspera commonly found in southern Europe and North Africa.

  • The Smilax aspera is often found in tropical gardens.

  • Many gardeners appreciate Smilax aspera for its unique appearance.

  • Gardeners often cultivate Smilax aspera for its shiny leaves and clusters of pale-green flowers.

  • In Mediterranean regions, Smilax aspera is recognized for its spiny stems and evergreen nature.

  • The climbing vines of Smilax aspera can create beautiful green cover in gardens and landscapes.

Synonyms

rough bindweed
vsSmilax aspera
  • UK
9.9

A climbing evergreen plant with spiny zigzag stems, shiny leaves, and pale green flowers

is the formal scientific name for the same plant

Surface Forms

Smilax aspera singular
Smilax asperas plural

Morphology

Smilax + aspera

This is a Latin binomial (a proper species name) rather than a compositional phrase, so its referent and descriptive meaning are not derivable from the parts; moreover 'aspera' is not known in the entry. Binomial names are referential conventions rather than transparent combinations, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to infer the detailed botanical meaning.

Etymology

Smilax aspera may come from old words, with Smilax meaning a climbing vine and aspera meaning 'rough'. The image is of a spiny, rough vine that grabs and makes thick, hard-to-walk-through bushes, so the name fits the plant today.