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Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous[1][2]. One report says it is very toxic[3], another says it is of very low toxicity[4]. The fresh root is a severe skin irritant[5].

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - must be cooked[6][7]. They are eaten in spring. Caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the notes above regarding toxicity.

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Bryonia dioica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A powerful cathartic and purgative, bryony is used with great caution in present-day herbalism[8]. It is primarily prescribed for painful rheumatic conditions[8].

The root is cathartic, cytotoxic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral, purgative and vermifuge[9][10][11][12][13][14]. It is used in small quantities internally in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, bronchial complaints, asthma, intestinal ulcers, hypertension and arthritis[5]. Externally, it is applied as a rubefacient to muscular and joint pains and pleurisy[5]. The root, which can be 75cm long and 75mm thick[15], can be used fresh at any time of the year[1], it can also be harvested in the autumn and be dried for later use[9]. This plant should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.

The whole herb has an antiviral effect[8].

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 dioica. 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[16], avoiding acid soils in the wild[17]. Prefers a sunny position[5].

A very deep-rooted climbing plant[1], attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils[9]. The plant is not eaten by rabbits[17]. Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed along the base of hedgerows[18].

Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Bryonia dioica. 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 dioica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Bryonia dioica
Genus
Bryonia
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
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
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
    4. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    15. ? 15.015.1 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    16. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.2 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    "image:Bryonia dioica 004.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Bryonia dioica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusBryonia +
    Has binomial nameBryonia dioica +
    Has common nameRed Bryony +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bees +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageBryonia dioica 004.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height3.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useCathartic +, Cytotoxic +, Diaphoretic +, Expectorant +, Hydrogogue +, Irritant +, Pectoral +, Purgative + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageBryonia dioica 004.JPG +
    Has search namebryonia dioica + and red bryony +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBryonia dioica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica +, Bryonia dioica + and Bryonia dioica +