White Bryony is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland margins and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 350cm.
White Bryony is a common climber with vine-like, palm-shaped, five-lobed leaves, usually found scrambling over other plants in hedgerows. White Bryony grows as separate male and female plants both having cream flowers with green veins and hairy petals. The male flowers have u-shaped yellow anthers. The female flowers have a green style split into three tufted stigmas.
Botanic classification and naming: White Bryony is a member of the Gourd (Cucurbitaceae) family. The genus name
'Bryonia' identifies the plant as a Bryony, a poisonous climbing plant and its species name 'dioica' means 'separate male/ female plants'.
Concerns: All parts of White Bryony are highly poisonous, with the toxins more concentrated in its orangey-red berries and roots.
|