White Bryony
Bryonia alba
Family: Cucurbitaceae
What it is like
Bryonia alba is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Vineyards and woods.
Europe to W. Asia - Iran.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, USA.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
One report says that the young shoots are edible, though caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity. The starch of the root is a famine food for extending bread flour after removing the acrid element. The young shoots are eaten. Caution: It is probably very poisonous.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root is cathartic, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral and purgative. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used either fresh or dried. It should be used with great caution, see notes above on toxicity. The fresh root, gathered before the plant comes into flower, is made into a homeopathic remedy. This is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints. It is said to be one of the best diuretics and an excellent remedy for gravel as well as all other obstructions and disorders of the urinary passage.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained, avoiding acid soils in the wild. A climbing plant, attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils. Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed at the base of hedgerows. Plants in the north of their range are monoecious, but those growing in the south are dioecious. Where necessary, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Hedgerow;
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant, and especially the root, are poisonous. The root can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, resulting in death within a matter of hours.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. In Washington, USA white bryony is Class B noxious weed
Its other names
Local names
White bryony. Czech Republic: posed b¡lì. Denmark: Enbo galdeb'r. Estonia: harilik koeranaeris. Latvia: Baltoji briene. Norway: Svartgalleb'r. Poland: Przestep bialy. Sweden: Hundrova.