Engelsk definition
A plant genus of the family SMILACACEAE. Members contain smiglasides (phenylpropanoid glycosides) and steroidal saponins. Commercially it is sometimes adulterated with HEMIDESMUS, which would affect experimental results. Drinks called sarsaparilla and root beer have been prepared from the Smilaz ornata (Jamaican sarsaparilla) and SASSAFRAS.