white bryony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European white bryony
• white bryony
• Eastern White-bryony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bryonia vulgaris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bryonia, which includes the specific species Bryonia alba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Bryonia alba, exhibits a specific distribution across the northern regions of Europe. In the westernmost part of this range, it can be found growing in the landscape of Ireland. Moving toward Scandinavia, the species is well-established throughout Denmark. It also maintains a presence across the vast territories of Sweden and Norway. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant extends further east into Finland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bryonia alba is characterized by its ability to thrive in disturbed and transitional environments, where it frequently establishes itself along forest edges, roadsides, and within shrubberies. As a climbing herbaceous vine, it utilizes these specific habitats to find structural support among existing vegetation, allowing it to reach sunlight in semi-shaded or edge-zone ecosystems. Its presence in these locations suggests a preference for ecotones—areas where different biological communities meet—providing the plant with a balance of light availability and the soil conditions often found in nutrient-rich, disturbed ground.

Habitat :

forest edges, roadsides, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Bryonia alba is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, relying on its underground structures to survive unfavorable periods, and is also classified under the broader category of a cryptophyte. Throughout its developmental cycle, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal adaptation to its environment.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bryonia alba is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As an obligatory climber, the plant utilizes various structures to ascend, reaching a significant stature with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 4 m, with an average height of approximately 3 m. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not rely on a host for nutrients through parasitism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bryonia alba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 47.92 cm², reflecting its structural development and capacity for light interception. This leaf morphology is further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 310.1 cm²/g, an indicator of the leaf's biomass density and its physiological strategy for balancing resource acquisition with structural maintenance.

Leaf size mean:

47.92 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

310.1 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bryonia alba is characterized by a specific flowering window and specialized mechanisms for genetic exchange and seed distribution. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in July, though the timing can remain variable. During this stage, the plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Notably, the species exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure reproductive success. Following successful fertilization, the plant employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals. The resulting seeds are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.015039 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.015039 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bryonia alba has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products
3. Phytochemistry
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Bryonia alba has 46 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bryoamaride, Flavonoids, -Spinasterol, AMYLASE, Brydioside A.

Bryoamaride

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

-Spinasterol

1. Dr. Duke

AMYLASE

1. Dr. Duke

Brydioside A

1. Phytochemistry

Brydioside B

1. Phytochemistry

Brydioside C

1. Phytochemistry

Bryodulcosigenin

1. Journal of natural products

Bryonoside

1. Phytochemistry

CERYL ALCOHOL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Bryonia alba has 84 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiinflammatory, Cytotoxic, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acetylcholinergic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Adaptogen

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Adaptogenic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Bryonia alba has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include AIDS, alloxan diabetes, cancer, epilepsy.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations