Smi"lax (?), n. [L., bindweed, Gr.
&?;&?;&?;.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of
perennial climbing plants, usually with a prickly woody stem; green
brier, or cat brier. The rootstocks of certain species are the source
of the medicine called sarsaparilla. (b) A
delicate trailing plant (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) much used
for decoration. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Smi"lax (?), n. [L., bindweed, Gr.
&?;&?;&?;.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of
perennial climbing plants, usually with a prickly woody stem; green
brier, or cat brier. The rootstocks of certain species are the source
of the medicine called sarsaparilla. (b) A
delicate trailing plant (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) much used
for decoration. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope.