Roots tuberous. Leaves alternate, distichous, with a conspicuous midrib and numerous fine longitudinal veins. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary cymose panicle, rarely flowers single in leaf axils. Flowers bisexual, subtending bracts minute; pedicels articulate; petals with fimbriate margins; stamens 6, hypogynous, filaments flattened, united basally, anthers basifixed, dehiscing apically; ovary superior; style elongate, filiform, stigma minute, capitate. Fruit a loculicidal, fleshy capsule; seeds numerous, sub-globose, shiny black, with a large fleshy strophiole.
A single variable species which occurs in eastern Australia, and southern Pacific Islands.
Source:
Conran, J.G. (1994). Smilacaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 734–738. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
