Red bryony, Wild hop, English mandrake
Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A pumpkin family plant. It is a tall climbing plant. It is hairy and keeps growing from year to year. It can be 4 m tall. The tendrils are coiled. The leaves are divided into 5 lobed leaflets like fingers on a hand. The leaves are plain green. The flowers are also plain green. The fruit is a green berry. It turns red when ripe. It is 6-10 mm across.

In some places its consumption is restricted by law due to toxic concerns.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andorra, Asia, Central Asia, Czech Republic, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Kurdistan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan

How it is used for food

CAUTION: All parts of this plant are poisonous. The red berries are poisonous. The very young leaves are sometimes eaten after being well cooked. They are stewed or used in omelettes.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution, shoots, tendrils

How it is grown

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Carbassera borda, Carbassina, Esparragos de nuez, Leshura, Nueza, Rdečejagodasti bluščec, Tuca

Synonyms

Bryonia dioica Jacq.;