Dioscoria communis - Black Bryony

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Dioscoriales - Family: Dioscoriaceae

Above: Black‪ Bryony berries in October

Black Bryony, a perennial climbing plant, is a member of the yam family.

Description

Black‪ Bryony climbs over fences, bushes and hedgerows assisted by its tendrils, which always spiral anticlockwise. The tiny flowers are 4 to 6mm across and have six pointed petals. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The female flowers produce bright red 'berries' in autumn, and they persist well into winter.

Typically 7 to 10 cm long and 5 to 8 cm across, the leaves of Black Bryony are heart-shaped and their upper sides are shiny.

Distribution

Found throughout Britain and Ireland, but rare in Scotland and most of Wales, White Bryony is most plemtiful in central and southern England. Elsewhere, Bryonia dioica is quite common in many parts of central and southern mainland Europe, and its native range extends into parts of Asia.

Habitat

This scrambling plant of hedgerows and woodlands crawls up all sorts of plants including nettles, brambles, low-growing bushes and young trees (as well as wire fences!). Black Bryony often attain a height of 1 to 3 m and occasionally more.

Blooming times

The creamy-green flowers of Black Bryony can be seen between May and August.

Etymology

The specific epithet communis means 'growing communally (in grouos)' - a reference to the clusters of flowers and, later, berries...

Uses

Many people like to collecg Black Bryony berries for table decorations in late autumn and early winter, as they tend to persist for many weeks. As with White Bryony, they are, however, poisonous and so should be kept well away from young children.