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Bryonia cretica

white bryony

Cucurbitaceae Europe, North Africa, western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Bryonia cretica, white bryony, is a herbaceous climbing perennial in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) that scrambles over hedges and scrub from a large, turnip-like tuberous root. Each year it sends up annual stems that climb 6-13 feet (2-4 m) using spirally coiling tendrils, dying back to the root in autumn. The rough, hairy leaves are palmately five-lobed and ivy-like, alternating along the angular stems. Plants are either male or female, both bearing small greenish-white flowers from late spring into summer; the female flowers ripen into clusters of round berries that turn red in autumn. Every part is strongly poisonous, the root and berries especially, containing bitter cucurbitacins that cause severe digestive upset if eaten. It is the only member of the gourd family native to Britain and grows in hedgerows, wood margins, and scrub on well-drained calcareous or sandy soils. The deep tuber stores energy for rapid spring regrowth and resprouts readily, so established plants are persistent and hard to clear. Dense shade and waterlogged ground limit it, and seedlings take two to three years to reach flowering size.

Native Range

Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, where it grows in hedgerows, scrub, wood edges, and rough ground, often on chalky or sandy soils. Its range extends from the British Isles and the Mediterranean eastward into western Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown only in wild and conservation hedgerows and naturalistic plantings, where its autumn berries feed birds and its flowers support insects. Used to clothe rustic supports in large informal gardens away from paths and play areas. Its poisonous root and berries make it unsuited to gardens used by children or pets.

How to Identify

Look for a rough-leaved, tendril-climbing plant with ivy-like, five-lobed leaves scrambling through hedges and bushes. Coiled, spring-like tendrils that grip neighbouring stems separate it at once from black bryony, which twines without tendrils. Clusters of red berries on female plants in autumn confirm Bryonia cretica, hanging from the dying stems after the leaves fall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 13'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Greenish-white flowers open from May into August, the males in stalked clusters and the smaller females close to the stem, on separate plants. Bees and small flies carry pollen between male and female vines. Pollinated females form green berries that ripen to red through late summer and 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 - 7.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Growth is vigorous in full sun to partial shade on well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil, with a hedge, fence, or trellis for the tendrils to climb. The tuberous root drives fast spring growth, and the plant needs little attention once established. Stems die back each autumn and regrow from the root in spring. All parts are strongly poisonous if eaten, and the bright red berries are the main hazard in gardens. Where the plant is unwanted, the deep root must be dug out, as cutting the topgrowth alone allows it to return. Seed-raised plants take two to three years before they flower and fruit.