Greenbrier Vine

Similax herbacea: Greenbrier Vine Zone: 4 to 9 Plant Type: Vining Height: to 8' long Bloom Time: from late spring to early summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Bloom Color: White Sun: Sun to Partial Shade  Plants found in open woodlands, in meadows and in rich alluvial thickets, in fencerows   The flowers are pollinated primarily by small bees, miscellaneous flies, and beetles.  The bees suck nectar or collect pollen, while the flies and beetles suck nectar or feed on pollen.  The butterfly Megisto cymela (Little Wood Satyr) has been observed sucking nectar from   Flower as well. Insects that feed on the foliage   and the caterpillars of several moths, including Acrolepiopsis incertella (Carrion Flower Moth),  Phosphila miselioides (Spotted Phosphila), Phosphila turbulenta (Turbulent Phosphila),  and Phyprosopus callitrichoides (Curve-Lined Owlet).  In addition to these species, the caterpillars of Papaipema unimoda (Meadow Rue Borer Moth)  sometimes bore into the stems of Carrion Flowers.  The berries of Smilax spp. are eaten by some upland gamebirds and songbirds;  Ring-Necked Pheasant, Northern Flicker, Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Cardinal the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey also eat the young leaves and buds of these vines.  The berries are a minor source of food to some mammals:  this includes the Black Bear, Opossum, Raccoon, Fox Squirrel, and Gray Squirrel.