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Bryonia alba
  • White Bryony

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

248px
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • neutral,alkaline
    Neutral to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Bryonia alba has 0 edible uses listed
Bryonia alba has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant, and especially the root, are poisonous[1]. The root can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, resulting in death within a matter of hours[1].

Edible uses

Notes

One report says that the young shoots are edible[2], though caution is advised[K]. See the notes above on toxicity.

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Bryonia alba.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is cathartic, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral and purgative[3]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used either fresh or dried[3]. 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[1]. This is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints[1]. 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[3].

Unknown part

Homeopathy

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Bryonia alba. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained[4], avoiding acid soils in the wild[5].

A climbing plant, attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils[3]. Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed at the base of hedgerows[6].

Plants in the north of their range are monoecious, but those growing in the south are dioecious[6]. Where necessary, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Bryonia alba. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Bryonia alba.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Bryonia alba
Genus
Bryonia
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2]
Medicinal uses
[3][1]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    4 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. ISBN 0-333-55581-3 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    5. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    "image:Bryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Bryonia alba"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusBryonia +
    Has common nameWhite Bryony +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageBryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useHomeopathy +
    Has primary imageBryonia alba1Georgi Kunev.jpg +
    Has search namebryonia alba + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameBryonia alba +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +