Smooth Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea): Beautiful Berries, Rotten Smell

Blue-black berry clusters on a thornless vine with grape-like leaves in October = smooth carrion flower (Smilax herbacea).

Key Traits

• Dioecious: male/female plants; only females fruit.
• Flowers smell like carrion—attracts fly pollinators.
• Unlike most Smilax, this species is thornless.
• Berries eaten by birds; spreads via seed.

Ecological Value

Native, supports pollinators (flies) and wildlife. Not aggressive like thorny greenbriers. Leave it if in natural area; manage if in cultivated beds.