smilax laurifolia

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Brier \Bri"er\, Briar \Bri"ar\ (br[imac]"[~e]r), n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. br[=e]r, br[ae]r; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.]

1.A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax. [1913 Webster]

2.Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings. [1913 Webster]

The thorns and briers of reproof.— Cowper.[1913 Webster]

Brier root, the root of the southern Smilax laurifolia and Smilax Walteri; -- used for tobacco pipes. See also 2nd brier.

Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax (Smilax rotundifolia, etc.)

Sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa). See Sweetbrier.

Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina. [1913 Webster]

Brier \Bri"er\, n.

1.the white heath Erica arborea. --RHUD. [PJC]

2.a smoking pipe made of the root of the brier[1].

Note: Brierroot seems to have been used formerly as a term meaning root of the Smilax laurifolia and is now defined as root of the Erica arborea. Not clear when this changed. -- PJC. [PJC]