Smilax \Smi"lax\, n. [L., bindweed, Gr. ???.] (Bot.)
(a) A genus of perennial climbing plants, usually with a
prickly woody stem; green brier, or cat brier. The
rootstocks of certain species are the source of the
medicine called sarsaparilla.
(b) A delicate trailing plant ({Myrsiphyllum asparagoides})
much used for decoration. It is a native of the Cape of
Good Hope.