Bryonia dioica
| Bryonia dioica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 11' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Bryonia dioica (common name: red bryony)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in early spring.
Cultivation: A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained[1], avoiding acid soils in the wild[2]. Prefers a sunny position[3].
A very deep-rooted climbing plant[4], attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils[5].
The plant is not eaten by rabbits[2].
Plants can be easily encouraged by scattering ripe seed along the base of hedgerows[6].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[6].
Range: Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Habitat: Scrub and woodland, especially on well-drained soils, avoiding acid soils[4][2].
Edibility: Young shoots - must be cooked[7][8]. They are eaten in spring. Caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the notes above regarding toxicity.
Medicinal: A powerful cathartic and purgative, bryony is used with great caution in present-day herbalism[9]. It is primarily prescribed for painful rheumatic conditions[9].
The root is cathartic, cytotoxic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral, purgative and vermifuge[5][10][11][12][13][14]. It is used in small quantities internally in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, bronchial complaints, asthma, intestinal ulcers, hypertension and arthritis[3]. Externally, it is applied as a rubefacient to muscular and joint pains and pleurisy[3]. The root, which can be 75cm long and 75mm thick[15], can be used fresh at any time of the year[4], it can also be harvested in the autumn and be dried for later use[5]. This plant should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.
The whole herb has an antiviral effect[9].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[4][16]. One report says it is very toxic[17], another says it is of very low toxicity[18]. The fresh root is a severe skin irritant[3].
Also Known As: B. cretica dioica. (Jacq.)Tutin.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.