''Smilax azorica'' is a species of flowering plants of the

Smilacaceae Smilacaceae, the greenbriers, is a family of flowering plants. While they were often assigned to a more broadly defined family Liliaceae, most recent botanists have accepted the two as distinct families, diverging around 55 million years ago dur ...

family. The species is endemic to the

Azores ) , motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace") , anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores") , image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg , map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union , map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...

. It was first described in 1844 as ''Smilax divaricata'', a name that had already been given to another species. It was renamed ''Smilax azorica'' in 2009.Schaefer H., & Schoenfelder P. (2009).
Smilax canariensis, S. azorica (Smilacaceae) and the genus Smilax in Europe.
in ''Homenaje al Profesor Dr. Wolfredo Wildpret de la Torre''. Instituto de Estudios Canarios: pp. 297-307.

Description

The species is a climbing wintergreen plant. It has few or no thorns. Its leaves are ovate or cordate, almost as broad as long. The flowers are unisexual, in a simple

umbel In botany, an umbel is an inflorescence that consists of a number of short flower stalks (called pedicels) that spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs. The word was coined in botanical usage in the 1590s, from Latin ''umbella'' "p ...

. Its fruits are red when ripe.

References

External links

Photo of ''Smilax azorica''
Endemic flora of the Azores Smilacaceae Plants described in 2009 {{Liliales-stub