Smilax (mythology)

In Greek mythology Smilax (Σμῖλαξ ) was the name of a nymph who was in love with Crocus and was turned into the plant bearing her name (the bindweed). Ancient sources with information about her and her tale are few and far between.

Etymology
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.

Mythology
Details of her story are vague and sparse. Pliny writes that Smilax was turned into bindweed shrub for loving the young Crocus. Ovid writes that the smilax and crocus both tell a love story, and Nonnus also mentions Crocus' love for Smilax, the "airgarlanded girl".