Red Bryony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red Bryony
• White Bryony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Cucurbitaleales, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bryonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Bryonia cretica, exhibits a specific presence across several regions of Northern Europe. Its geographical range includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing within the territories of Finland and Sweden. Furthermore, the species is distributed across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its documented distribution within the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bryonia cretica is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and often rugged landscapes, ranging from high-altitude regions to riparian zones. This climbing perennial is typically found inhabiting mountains and stony places, where it can anchor itself among rocks and sparse vegetation. Furthermore, its distribution extends to moisture-rich environments such as the edges of lakes and rivers, demonstrating a notable adaptability to varying levels of water availability and substrate stability within these specialized niches.

Habitat :

lakes, mountains, rivers, stony places

Life history

The life history of Bryonia cretica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence across multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it employs specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions, specifically functioning as a geophyte where its vital organs are protected underground. This life form allows the plant to remain dormant during periods of stress, emerging to produce its climbing vines when conditions become favorable. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal cycle, which helps manage resource allocation and survival through varying climatic shifts.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bryonia cretica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism that is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it exhibits a climbing habit, specifically categorized as an obligatory vine or liana. The plant demonstrates significant vertical development, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 4 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

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 cretica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate climbing plants. The plant is non-carnivorous, relying entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than capturing prey. Its leaf morphology plays a significant role in its metabolic efficiency, featuring a mean leaf size of 54.07 cm² and a mean leaf width of 15 cm, which matches both its minimum and maximum width measurements of 15 cm. The leaves exhibit a maximum length of 15 cm, and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 315.45 cm²/g, reflecting the structural investment of its leaf tissue relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf size mean:

54.07 cm²

Leaf width mean:

15 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

315.45 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bryonia cretica is characterized by a sexual process facilitated by its dioecious nature, meaning individual plants are either male or female, and it lacks any form of asexual reproduction. The flowering period is concentrated in June, with both the onset and conclusion of the flowering stage occurring within this month. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits with a mean length of 0.9 cm. The resulting seeds exhibit a variable mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.00943 g to a maximum of 0.02745 g, with an average seed mass of 0.017143 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals. Self-fertilization is notably absent in this species, ensuring genetic diversity through its specialized reproductive mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.02745 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017143 g

Seed mass min:

0.00943 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Chemicals

Bryonia cretica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cucurbitacin E.

Cucurbitacin E

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Preparations

Bryonia cretica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan