White Bryony (Bryonia alba L.) FamilyFamily: Cucurbitaceae Description and VariationDescription and Variation: White bryony is an herbaceous perennial vine, 12 feet long, or more. The thick root is a light yellow. The simple leaves are somewhat triangular, alternate and broadly toothed. The upper and lower leaf surfaces have small white glands. The long curling tendrils, the flowers and the fruit arise from the leaf axils. White bryony is monoecious (male and female flowers are found on the same plant). The flowers are greenish-white, to one half inch across. The fruit is a black berry, 5/16 inches in diameter. Economic ImportanceEconomic Importance: Negative - White bryony is a vigorous perennial vine resembling Kudzu in its habit -- forming dense mats which shade out all vegetation it grows upon. White bryony's major destructive potential is to native vegetation, forest communities, and urban horticulture. The berries are toxic to humans. Positive - The dried roots of white bryony have been used medicinally. Geographical DistributionGeographical Distribution: White bryony is native to Europe to northern Iran. HistoryHistory: B. alba was first reported
for Washington in 1975 from a site near Growth and DevelopmentGrowth and Development: B. alba is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial vine, resembling Kudzu in its physiognomy. It generally occurs as a climber in trees and fence rows, but when disseminated in an area where there is nothing to climb, it will form dense mats shading out all other vegetation. B. alba produces berries, that are both emetic and toxic to humans. ReproductionReproduction: B. alba spreads by seed. The plant produces berries, the seeds of which are disseminated by birds. ReferencesReferences: Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey. 1976. Hortus Third. MacMillan Publishing Co., New York
This page was last updated 03/31/07 |
Union Center in Whitman County.
There is however an earlier record of Bryonia dioica from Columbia County (1972)
which may in fact have been B. alba. Since the seeds of this species are spread by
birds, it has spread extremely rapidly and is now common in Whitman, Garfield, and
Columbia counties, as well as being reported for Idaho and Montana.
