Smilax bracteata




Family Smilacaceae (also placed in Liliaceae)
Scientific name Smilax bracteata C. Presl
Synonyms Smilax lyi H. Léveillé; Smilax stenopetala A. Gray
Common name (Japanese common name) satsuma sankirai (サツマサンキライ, 薩摩山帰来 [meaning: Satsuma = an old name of Kagoshima Prefecture, sankirai = Smilax china L.])
(English common name) none
Distribution (Japan) Kyushu, Okinawa
(Other nations) China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia
Habitat Mountane forest
Chromosomal number 2n=32
Description Leaves 5-10cm long. Flowers yellow green, flowering in January to February. Evergreen. Vine.
Reference Smilax bracteata C. Presl
Smilax bracteata C. Presl
Make-up remover composition for the face and eyes (US Patent 4323468/1982)
Herbicidal compositions and herbicidal processes (US Patent 4309208/1982)
Capillary cosmetic composition containing a sarsaparilla extract (US Patent 4604282/1986)
Capillary cosmetic composition for washing disentangling hair containing a plant extract containing saponins (US Patent 4800080/1989)
Formulation for alleviating symptoms associated with arthritis (US Patent 5683698/1997)
Therapeutic agents for respiratory diseases (US Patent 6309674/2001)
Synergistic phytoceutical compositions (US Patent 7303772/2007)




Female Plants


February 2008
at Kochi Prefecture
Makino Botanical Garden
February 2008
at Kochi Prefecture
Makino Botanical Garden
February 2008
at Kochi Prefecture
Makino Botanical Garden



February 2008
at Kochi Prefecture
Makino Botanical Garden
February 2008
at Kochi Prefecture
Makino Botanical Garden