Bryonys
What are they?
The two species of bryony that grow in our region are often confused with each, because of the similarity in their names and the similarity of their climbing growth style and red fruits. However, the two are unrelated, with White Bryony being a member of the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae) and Black Bryony being a member of the yam family (Dioscoreaceae).
Where are they found?
Both species are common and widespread plants, being found in a wide range of hedgerow and scrubby habitats.
Identification
White Bryony is readily identified by its combination of lobed leaves, stems with tendrils and matt-red berries. Black Bryony has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and glossy red berries; it has no tendrils but instead climbs by twining its stems like a honeysuckle or hops. Both species are deciduous and die down in the autumn.
White Bryony Bryonia dioica
Native. Common and widespread on all but the heaviest, clay soils in hedgerows, scrub and woodland edge. Flowers May to September. A perennial climber, dieing down in the autumn and growing anew from the rootstock each spring. Stems scrambling by means of corkscrew tendrils, with deeply lobed, palmate leaves. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants, the female flowers being smaller and eventually developing into red berries that have a matt finish.
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female below) |
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Black Bryony Dioscorea communis
Native. Common and widespread in hedgerows, scrub and woodland edge, but rare or absent from the wetter fen soils and dry sands of Breckland and the Suffolk Sandlings. Flowers May to July. A perennial climber, dieing down in the autumn and growing anew from the rootstock each spring. Stems twine in a clockwise direction, twisting around each other and around neighbouring vegetation. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants, the female flowers with greem, swollen ovaries at their base and eventually developing into red berries that have a glossy finish. Leaves highly glossy, heart-shaped.
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