Round-leaved greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9
Special Significance of the Species
In the northeastern USA (Connecticut) round-leaved greenbrier was an important component of a shrub community that was demonstrated to be resistant to reinvasion by tree species provided that the trees were initially removed through herbicide application (Niering and Goodwin 1974). The authors argue that this community type has both ecological values (as stable non-treed wildlife habitat) and economic ones (as a low-maintenance component of hydro rights-of-way or in naturalistic landscaping). In areas where it is more abundant, round-leaved greenbrier is a very important wildlife food.
In Ontario, a few local populations are significant members of the understorey vegetation at their site. This species also provides diverse habitat and contributes to the overall biodiversity of the regional biota.
Smith (1974) reports that some First Nations people and early European settlers used parts of various species of Smilax. At present, no significant ATK uses for this species are known (Hess pers. comm. 2006).
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