Practical
Plants

Bryonia alba

White Bryony

a perennial woody member of the Bryonia genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Bryonia
Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
4 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant, and especially the root, are poisonous[5]. The root can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, resulting in death within a matter of hours[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report says that the young shoots are edible[3], though caution is advised[K]. See the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is cathartic, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral and purgative[6]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used either fresh or dried[6]. 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[5]. This is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints[5]. 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[6].

Product or use
Homeopathy

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
Europe to W. Asia - Iran.
Habitat
Vineyards and woods[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained[1], avoiding acid soils in the wild[2]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils[6]. Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed at the base of hedgerows[4]. Plants in the north of their range are monoecious, but those growing in the south are dioecious[4]. Where necessary, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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