Gallery
Smilax glabraSmilax glabra
Smilax glabra plant
Smilax glabraSmilax glabraSmilax glabraOverview
Smilax glabra, sarsaparilla, is a plant species in the genus Smilax. It is native to China, the Himalayas, and Indochina.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
S. glabra is a traditional medicine in Chinese herbology, whence it is also known as tufuling (土茯苓) or chinaroot, china-root, and china root (a name it shares with the related S. china). Chinaroot is a key ingredient in the Chinese medical dessert guilinggao, which uses its ability to set certain kinds of jelly.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Uses
- glabra is a traditional medicine in Chinese herbology, whence it is also known as tufuling (土茯苓) or chinaroot, china-root, and china root (a name it shares with the related S.
- Chinaroot is a key ingredient in the Chinese medical dessert guilinggao, which uses its ability to set certain kinds of jelly.
Habitat & conservation
It is native to China, the Himalayas, and Indochina.
Conservation
Smilax glabra has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.
References
- 1Wikipedia – Smilax glabra — Wikipedia,
- 2Kew POWO – Smilax glabra — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
- 3Wikidata – Q3658986 — Wikidata,