Smilax ornata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Smilacaceae |
Genus: | Smilax |
Species: | S. ornata
|
Binomial name | |
Smilax ornata | |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. [3] Common names include sarsaparilla, [4] Honduran sarsaparilla, [4] and Jamaican sarsaparilla. [4]
It is known in Spanish as zarzaparrilla, which is derived from the words zarza meaning "bramble" (from Basque sartzia "bramble"), and parrilla, meaning "little grape vine". [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Smilax ornata is used as the basis for a soft drink frequently called sarsaparilla. It is also a primary ingredient in old fashioned-style licorice, [10] in conjunction with sassafras, [11] which was more widely available prior to studies of its potential health risks. [12]
Smilax ornata was considered by Native Americans to have medicinal properties, and was a popular European treatment for syphilis when it was introduced from the New World. [13] From 1820 to 1910, it was registered in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for syphilis.[ citation needed]
Smilax ornata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Smilacaceae |
Genus: | Smilax |
Species: | S. ornata
|
Binomial name | |
Smilax ornata | |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. [3] Common names include sarsaparilla, [4] Honduran sarsaparilla, [4] and Jamaican sarsaparilla. [4]
It is known in Spanish as zarzaparrilla, which is derived from the words zarza meaning "bramble" (from Basque sartzia "bramble"), and parrilla, meaning "little grape vine". [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Smilax ornata is used as the basis for a soft drink frequently called sarsaparilla. It is also a primary ingredient in old fashioned-style licorice, [10] in conjunction with sassafras, [11] which was more widely available prior to studies of its potential health risks. [12]
Smilax ornata was considered by Native Americans to have medicinal properties, and was a popular European treatment for syphilis when it was introduced from the New World. [13] From 1820 to 1910, it was registered in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for syphilis.[ citation needed]