White bryony
Bryonia cretica subsp. dioca
White bryony
Description
White bryony is a garden plant from Europe/Western Asia/North Africa that has become a pest in the wild in New Zealand. It is a soft green cucumber-like vine which climbs up to six metres. It produces clusters of small cream flowers in spring and berries in bunches of three to eight that ripen to light red from January to April. Seed is spread by birds. The shoots die back in autumn to a persistent perennial tuber.
Impact
White bryony smothers and shades out whatever it grows on. It threatens New Zealand's native and desirable introduced species.
Where is it found?
White bryony grows in diverse habitats such as hedges, fence lines, rank grass, native forest, scrub, paddocks and exotic plantations. Plants are usually found under places where birds perch.
White bryony is located along the Rangitikei River near Mangaweka in the Manawatu and around Aria and Mokauiti in the King Country, Waikato.
What to do
Propagation, spread and sale of white bryony are prohibited under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
All sightings must be reported to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is working in partnership with the Department of Conservation and regional councils to eradicate white bryony grass from New Zealand.
Resources
- White bryony factsheet
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Page last updated: 22 May 2008