- any of various climbing or trailing tropical American plants belonging to the genus Smilax, of the lily family, having alternate leaves, umbels of flowers, and a root that has been used in the treatment of psoriasis.
- the root.
- an extract or other preparation made of this root.
- a soft drink flavored with an extract of this root, as root beer.
- any of various prickly climbing plants of the tropical American genus Smilax having large aromatic roots and heart-shaped leaves: family Smilacaceae
- the dried roots of any of these plants, formerly used as a medicine
- a nonalcoholic drink prepared from these roots
- any of various plants resembling true sarsaparilla, esp the araliaceous plant Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), of North America
