Not to be confused with Bush lawyer (plant) (several species of Rubus), or Calamus australis (lawyer cane) or Clusia rosea (Scotch attorney).

Smilax australis (lawyer vine, austral sarsaparilla, barbwire vine, or "wait-a-while") is a vine in the family Smilacaceae, endemic to Australia. It has prickly climbing stems that are up to 8 metres long with coiled tendrils that are up to 20 cm long.[2] The glossy leaves have 5 prominent longitudinal veins and are 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 10 cm wide.[2][3]

Distribution

The species occurs in rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heathland in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,[2] Lord Howe Island, and the northeastern corner of Western Australia.[4][1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ a b c G.J. Hardin. "New South Wales Flora Online: Smilax australis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  3. ^ Atlas of Living Australia, Smilax australis R.Br., Austral Sarsaparilla
  4. ^ "Smilax australis R.Br". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.