Bryony

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iBryonia
Bryonia alba (white briony)
Bryonia alba (white briony)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Bryonia
L.
Species
  • B. alba (White Bryony)
  • B. cretica (Cretan Bryony), B. cretica ssp. dioica

Bryony or briony is the common name for species in the genus Bryonia of perennial, tendril-climbing, dioecious herbs with palmately lobed leaves and flowers in axillary clusters. The fruit is a smooth, globular berry.

A close-up view of the male flowers of white bryony.
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A close-up view of the male flowers of white bryony.

The English species Bryonia alba is known as white or red bryony and grows in hedgerows as far north as Yorkshire. There are eight varieties established in Europe.

Some species find use in herbal medicine.

Bryonia is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth.

[edit] Edibility

All species of bryony are poisonous plants. The toxins contained are irritants.

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It is also the name used in a 1970's classic film to describe the calmness and beauty of the ocean.

Variants of the plant name, such as Briony, Bryonie and such are used as unique and unusual names for girls.