Editing Smilacaceae (section)

== Taxonomy ==
The [[APG II system]], of 2003 (unchanged from the [[APG system]], of 1998), recognizes this family and places it in the order [[Liliales]], in the [[clade]] '''[[monocots]]'''. Earlier it was a family of two genera, ''[[Heterosmilax]]'' and ''[[Smilax]]'', but DNA studies have shown that ''Heterosmilax'' has arisen from ''Smilax'' and the two genera are now merged. This results in Smilax being the only genus in Smilacaceae with about 210 known species.{{sfn|Qi et al|2013}}<ref name="Christenhusz-Byng2016">{{cite journal |author1=Christenhusz, M. J. M. |author2=Byng, J. W.  |name-list-style=amp | year = 2016 | title = The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase | journal = Phytotaxa | volume = 261 | pages = 201–217 | url = http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 | doi = 10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1 | issue = 3 | publisher = Magnolia Press | doi-access = free }}</ref>
The family occurs throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Members of this family typically have woody roots and a climbing or vining form. Some have woody vining stems, often with thorns, while others are [[herb]]aceous above ground and thornless.

Other placements of the family include:
* The [[Cronquist system]], of 1981, recognized this family and placed it in the order [[Liliales]], in subclass [[Liliidae]] in class [[Liliopsida]] [=monocotyledons] of division [[Magnoliophyta]] [=angiosperms]. 
* The [[Reveal system]] (1997) recognized this family and placed it in the order Smilacales, in subclass Liliidae which is placed as in the Cronquist system.  
* The [[Thorne system (1992)]] also recognized this family, and placed it in the order [[Dioscoreales]] in superorder [[Lilianae]] in subclass [[Liliidae]] (monocotyledons) of class [[Magnoliopsida]] (angiosperms).
* The [[Dahlgren system]] treated it as did the Thorne system (1992): see above.