Flower ID: IMG_5698.JPG-05-25-2023 Flower name (scientific): Smilax illinoensis Mangaly PY: 1968. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) SMIL-aks (or SMI-laks or SMY-laks) ill-ee-NOEN-sis (or ill-ee-NOR-ee-EN-sis) Flower name (common): Illinois Carrion Flower Family name (common): Catbrier Family name (scientific): Smilacaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From ancient Greek for a scraper, referring to the prickly stems of other species in the genus. Also, from Greek for climber, referring to the nature of the plant. Alternatively, from ancient Greek, the name of an evergreen oak. Specific epithet: From or related to the state of Illinois. Common name origin: From the occurence of this species in Illinois, and from the unpleasant odor of the flowers that resembles decaying carrion. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 8 mm) Petal count: 6 Color: white or green Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-spherical Plant description: Size: 20 to 40 inches (51 to 102 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 12 cm long and up to 8 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, narrowly ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, shade or semi shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): There are four other Smilax species in Wisconsin that have some resemablance to Smilax illinoensis. They are Smilax herbacea (Common Carrion-flower, Jacob's-ladder), Smilax ecirrhata (Upright Carrion Flower), Smilax lasioneura (Blue Ridge Carrion Flower), and Smilax tamnoides (Bristly Greenbrier). According to the FNA, Smilax herbacea is absent from the midwestern states. Smilax tamnoides can be distinguished from the other species by the presence of needle-like prickles on the stem. Smilax ecirrhata typically has no tendrils, or 1 to 2 short tendrils, and a petiole usually shorter than the length of the associated leaf blade. Smilax lasioneura has numerous tendrils and the petiole is shorter than the leaf blade. Smilax illinoensis has few tendrils and a petiole about the length of the leaf blade or longer. Smilax ecirrhata typically has 3 or fewer flower clusters whereas Smilax illinoensis usually has more than 3 flower clusters. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.799855 Longitude: -91.507797 Altitude: 251.40 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Oconto, Pierce, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Washington, Waukesha, Winnebago) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (ON) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed