Smilacaceae Vent.
Fls small, often unisexual, us. in axillary umbels, racemes or spikes. Per. of 6 equal or subequal, deciduous, us. free segs. Stamens 6; filaments free or united in a column; anthers introrse. Ovary superior, 3-locular; ovules 1–2 per locule, orthotropous or half anatropous. Fr. a berry. Seeds 1–3; embryo small, endosperm hard. Woody lianoid plants. Lvs alt. or opp., us. coriac., with marked reticulate veining between the few longitudinal nerves. Four genera of wide distribution.
