Shelley, this could be S. laurifolia instead of S. bona-nox. If you want to get rid of it, you usually have to dig to get out a rock like root piece. If your location was only recently developed, it could be a few pieces nearly fist sized from many years of growth. They are hard to eradicate. I don't even try, because I eat the new shoots in springtime. There are hundreds of smilaxes, literally hundreds. One was used to make sarsaparilla. I've made tea from the woody root ball, but figured I could save the digging and just drink muddy water instead for the same flavor. I've come to love the prickly nuisances.
