Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen climber with a flexible and delicate stem, with sharp thorns.

[5] The leaves are 8–10 centimetres (3.1–3.9 in) long,[5] petiolated, alternate, tough, leathery, and heart-shaped, with toothed and spiny margins.

The flowers, very fragrant, are small, yellowish or greenish, gathered in axillary racemes.

This species is widespread in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia), Mediterranean Europe (Cyprus, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, France, Portugal, Spain), temperate Asia ( Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey) and tropical Asia (India, Bhutan, Nepal).

[6] It grows in woods and scrub at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.