'bindweed'[1]) was the name of a nymph who was in love with Crocus[2] and was turned into the plant bearing her name (the bindweed).
Variants of the word σμίλαξ include μῖλαξ, milax, and (σ)μῖλος, (s)milos, which point to a pre-Greek origin for the noun according to Robert Beekes.
Pliny writes that Smilax was turned into bindweed shrub for loving the young Crocus.
[4] Ovid writes that the smilax and crocus both tell a love story,[5] and Nonnus also mentions Crocus' love for Smilax, the "airgarlanded girl".
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