Is their only purpose to impede us? Walking in Kentuckys woods, you may find yourself at odds with any number of tough little vines, an inconvenience to us and anathema to suburban landscapers who have lots of tips on how to eradicate them. But our native, thorny vines can form the basis of thickets, which shelter small animals, protecting them from predators and from harsh weather. Several perennial species of the genus Smilax are known by the common name greenbrier, and they supply secure nesting spots for birds and cottontails, and tasty green shoots the spring or berries in the winter. Our wildlife and these vines co-evolved. Thats one reason why the vines are ubiquitous--the seeds are spread readily. Read more: illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/rl_greenbrier.html Smilax Vine. Embrace the places where our boots are not welcome. Nelson County, Kentucky. November 2014.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:42:39 +0000
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