The importance of Smilax ornata in today's society is undeniable. Smilax ornata has been the subject of interest and debate in different areas, from politics to popular culture. Its impact on people's daily lives is evident, and its influence is felt in all aspects of society. In this article, we will explore the role of Smilax ornata today, analyzing its relevance and the role it plays in modern life. From its origins to its impact on the contemporary world, Smilax ornata is a topic that deserves to be studied and understood in its entirety.
Smilax ornata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Smilacaceae |
Genus: | Smilax |
Species: | S. ornata
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Binomial name | |
Smilax ornata | |
Synonyms | |
Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. Common names include sarsaparilla, Honduran sarsaparilla, and Jamaican sarsaparilla.
It is known in Spanish as zarzaparrilla, which is derived from the words zarza meaning "bramble" (from Basque sartzia "bramble"), and parrilla, meaning "little grape vine".
Smilax ornata is used as the basis for a soft drink frequently called sarsaparilla. It is also a primary ingredient in old fashioned-style licorice, in conjunction with sassafras, which was more widely available prior to studies of its potential health risks.
Smilax ornata was considered by Native Americans to have medicinal properties, and was a popular European treatment for syphilis when it was introduced from the New World. From 1820 to 1910, it was registered in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a treatment for syphilis.[citation needed]