Bryonia spp.

bryony

Cucurbitaceae

Europe, North Africa, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Bryonia spp. is a genus of about 10 species of perennial climbing vines in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Each plant grows from a large, fleshy underground tuber that can weigh several pounds and sends up annual stems that scramble and climb 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m) using coiled, unbranched tendrils. The leaves are palmately five-lobed, rough to the touch, and 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) across. Small greenish-white flowers, about 0.4 inch (10 mm) wide, are usually borne with male and female on separate plants, followed on female plants by clusters of round berries that ripen red or black depending on species. Bryonia spp. grows along hedgerows, woodland edges, fences, and scrub on well-drained soils. All parts of the plant, especially the root and berries, contain cucurbitacins and are toxic if eaten, causing severe digestive upset. The top growth dies back each autumn and regrows from the tuber in spring.

Native Range

Bryonia spp. is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, growing in hedgerows, scrub, woodland margins, and disturbed ground. Some species, such as B. alba, have naturalised in North America, where they are treated as noxious weeds in parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Grown occasionally on rural fences, hedges, and trellises as a fast seasonal screen, and historically used in herbal preparations despite its toxicity. Its quick, scrambling cover suits informal boundaries set apart from where the berries pose a risk. In many regions it is managed as a weed rather than planted.

How to Identify

Identify Bryonia spp. by its climbing annual stems with coiled, unbranched tendrils, rough palmately lobed leaves, and small greenish-white flowers. Female plants carry clusters of round red or black berries in late summer. The large underground tuber, unbranched tendrils, and toxic berries separate it from other climbing vines and from black bryony (Dioscorea spp.), which has heart-shaped unlobed leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 13'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs through late spring and summer, roughly May to August, with male and female flowers usually on separate plants. The greenish-white flowers are small and modest. Round berries follow on female plants and ripen red or black into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Bryonia spp. grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained soils of moderate fertility with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and needs a fence, trellis, or host shrub to climb. Established plants draw on a large tuber and tolerate dry spells, regrowing each spring after winter dormancy. The vines spread quickly and can smother nearby plants, so support and containment matter in mixed plantings. All parts contain cucurbitacins and are poisonous; the sap can also irritate skin on contact. It is often removed from gardens where children or livestock are present because of the toxic berries and root.

Pruning

Cut back the dead annual stems to the ground in late autumn or winter once they die down. Thin or shorten vigorous summer growth to keep the vine off neighbouring plants. The tuber resprouts regardless of how hard the top growth is cut.