White Bryony | Reserves and species

Scientific Name:

Bryonia dioica

White Bryony is a climbing hedgerow and woodland edge plant that flowers between May and August and produces red and shiny berries that can be seen, covered in frost, in winter. Our only native member of the cucumber family, White Bryony is actually highly poisonous. The roots are particularly toxic and, despite their bitter taste, sometimes get eaten by cattle with fatal consequences.

How to identify:

White Bryony has curling tendrils and climbs over hedges. Its leaves have five lobes and it displays greenish, five-petalled flowers and orange-red berries.

Where to find it:

Grows mainly in England, particularly in the south and east.

How people can help:

Our hedgerows support all kinds of wildlife, providing vital food and shelter. But these habitats are disappearing with the intensification of agriculture. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with farmers, landowners and developers to promote wildlife-friendly practices, such as planting hedges and leaving field margins. We have a vision of a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country, which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.

Statistics:

Height: up to 4m

Conservation status:

Common.

Did you know?:

In times past, the roots of White Bryony were often 'passed off' as an entirely different species: Mandrake. A native of the Mediterranean, Mandrake was used as a painkiller and narcotic, and was also believed to be an aphrodisiac because its roots often looked like human figures (they supposedly shrieked as they were pulled from the earth). However, the real thing was hard to grow, so cheats would carve the roots of White Bryony into human-like forms and sell them.

Seasons:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

When to see

Start date:

January

End date:

December

Image: