White bryony

Bryonia cretica

White bryony

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Synonyms: Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica

Description

White bryony is a soft green cucumber like vine that climbs up to 6 m by means of its curled tendrils. It produces clusters of small cream white flowers in spring/summer, with male and female flowers on separate plants. On female plants these are followed by 8 mm berries, in bunches of 3-8 that ripen to light red from January to April. The shoots die back in autumn to a persistent perennial tuber.

Impact

White bryony smothers and shades out whatever it grows on. It is dispersed by birds and its tubers are hard to find. The fruit and tubers contain toxic alkaloids, which may be poisonous if consumed in quantity. White bryony is of very limited distribution in the wild in New Zealand.

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.

What to do

If you find this plant contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.

Page last updated: 20 March 2009