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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Bryonia dioica is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. cretica dioica. (Jacq.)Tutin.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - must be cooked[2, 105]. They are eaten in spring. Caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the notes above regarding toxicity.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cathartic Cytotoxic Diaphoretic Expectorant Hydrogogue Irritant Pectoral Purgative
Vermifuge

A powerful cathartic and purgative, bryony is used with great caution in present-day herbalism[254]. It is primarily prescribed for painful rheumatic conditions[254]. The root is cathartic, cytotoxic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral, purgative and vermifuge[4, 9, 19, 21, 46, 165]. It is used in small quantities internally in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, bronchial complaints, asthma, intestinal ulcers, hypertension and arthritis[238]. Externally, it is applied as a rubefacient to muscular and joint pains and pleurisy[238]. The root, which can be 75cm long and 75mm thick[268], can be used fresh at any time of the year[7], it can also be harvested in the autumn and be dried for later use[4]. 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[254].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained[1], avoiding acid soils in the wild[17]. Prefers a sunny position[238]. A very deep-rooted climbing plant[7], attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils[4]. The plant is not eaten by rabbits[17]. Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed along the base of hedgerows[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovakia, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sicily), Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Bryonia alba	White Bryony	Perennial Climber	4.0	5-9	F	LMH	SN	M	1	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Bryonia dioica - Jacq.