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Family Liliaceae
Sarsaparillang-puti
Smilax leucophylla Blume

Scientific names Common names
Smilax dulcis Desf. Banag (Tagb.)
Smilax glycyphylla Hassk. Banal (Ig.)
Smilax leucophylla Blume Kaguno (Neg..)
Smilax retusa Blume Kamot-kabag (Tag.)
Smilax vicaria Kunth Sarsaparillang-puti (Tag.)
  Sipit-ulang (Tag.)
Smilax leucophylla Blume is an accepted name. The Plant List

Other vernacular names
INDONESIA: Canar gede, canar minyak.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Wanabekira.

Botany
Sarsaparillang-puti is a stout, woody vine with alternate, stiff, leathery leaves which are white beneath, somewhat rounded or straight at the base and pointed at the tip, up to 30 cm or more in length, having three prominent veins running lengthwise through the leaf. Fruits are grey berries, somewhat more than a cm in diameter, occurring in round clusters, each fruit having a long stalk springing from the common rounded center of the cluster.

Distribution
In primary forests at medium altitudes in Benguet, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Rizal, Bataan, and Laguna Provinces in Luzon, and in Mindoro, Culion, Palawan and Mindanao.
- Also occurs in the Malay Peninsula, Australia, Java, Borneo and in the Moluccas.

Properties
- Considered blood purifier, antisyphylitic, antirheumatic.

Parts used
Roots, rhizomes.

Uses

Folkloric
- Roots and rhizomes used as blood purifier.
- Used for cutaneous affections, syphilis, and rheumatism.

- Used for menstrual disorders.
- In Malaysia, poultice of leaves and roots are applied to syphilitic nose ulcers.

Studies
- No studies found.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Updated December 2017 / April 2013

IMAGE SOURCE: Public Domain / File:Smilax (PSF).png / Pearson Scott Foresman / Wikimedia Commons

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Smilax leucophylla Blume / The Plant List
(2)
Smilax leucophylla / Cheryll Williams / Medicinal Plants in Australia Vol 1: Bush Pharmacy

It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page.

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