Organisms

Smilax

A plant genus of the family SMILACACEAE. Members contain smiglasides (phenylpropanoid glycosides) and steroidal saponins. Commercially it is sometimes adulterated with HEMIDESMUS, which would affect experimental results. Drinks called sarsaparilla and root beer have been prepared from the Smilaz ornata (Jamaican sarsaparilla) and SASSAFRAS.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A plant genus of the family SMILACACEAE. Members contain smiglasides (phenylpropanoid glycosides) and steroidal saponins. Commercially it is sometimes adulterated with HEMIDESMUS, which would affect experimental results. Drinks called sarsaparilla and root beer have been prepared from the Smilaz ornata (Jamaican sarsaparilla) and SASSAFRAS.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Greenbriar
  • Greenbrier
  • Sarsaparilla
  • Zarzaparilla
  • Greenbriars
  • Greenbriers
  • Sarsaparillas
  • Zarzaparillas
  • Jamaican Sarsaparilla
  • Smilax ornata
  • Jamaican Sarsaparillas
  • Sarsaparilla, Jamaican
  • Sarsaparillas, Jamaican

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

20 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, toxicity, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

note entry term SARSAPARILLA: SARSAPARILLA, EAST INDIAN see HEMIDESMUS and BRISTLY SARSAPARILLA see ARALIA are also available

MeSH Record

History Note

2003

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Smilax. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D032281. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D032281
  2. Smilax. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smilax
  3. Smilax. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q165315