Question: Hi Arthur, I was recently walking a floodplain in Southern NH and saw this plant (sorry photo quality lacking). I …
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Question
Hi Arthur, I was recently walking a floodplain in Southern NH and saw this plant (sorry photo quality lacking). I thought I recognized them as Wild Yam - Dioscorea villosa, didn't have ID book on me. Decided to confirm with Go Botany, but according to the species page it hasn't been in NH... maybe there's a look alike? So curious- thanks!
Answer
Dear limnjucy@gmail.com, you look to have photographed Smilax herbacea (carrion-flower), a native member of the Smilacaceae that is also a vine. I can't see clearly enough the base of the petioles, which would have a pair of tendrils (at least early in the season) derived from the stipules. This is an easy way to distinguish vegetative herbaceous Smilax from the genus Dioscorea. Best wishes.
