Smilax aspera L. subsp. aspera

Spice Female flower Male flower Fruits Leaves

Family: LILIACEAE

Genus: Smilax

Catalan common name: Aritja. Arítjol. Eura del diable. Matavelles.

Spanish common name: Zarzaparrilla.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Furniture, construction and tools. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Phanerophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Hedges. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Tree heather maquis and silicolous garigues. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Rocky surfaces and dry stone walls. Climbing up walls, shrups and rocks.