Jan wrote: “I think they`re rhizomatous, they germinate like Polygonatum, and Ruscus.” Darn, I’ve been busted! I was trying to sneak them in past the “geophytes only” sign. Smilax smallii grows with a cluster of Dahlia like swollen roots at the base of the plant (these roots look like bananas). Tamus communis I know only from reading about it. Jan, are you going to school in Oberlin now? If so, be on the lookout for Dioscorea quarternata: it’s a handsome species, well worth having for the garden. It’s easy from seed. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7 My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/