Black Bryony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Black Bryony
• black-bindweed
• black-bryony
• lady's-seal
• norça

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tamus communis var. smilacifolia
• Tamus smilacifolia
• Tamus baccifera
• Tamus communis var. triloba
• Tamus communis
• Tamus cirrhosa
• Tamus communis f. subtriloba
• Tamus communis var. subtriloba
• Tamus cordifolia
• Tamus racemosa
• Tamus norsa

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 within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dioscoreales. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy places it in the family Dioscoreaceae and the genus Dioscorea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found within the borders of Belgium. Additionally, its distribution extends into the central landscapes of Germany. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the country of Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dioscorea communis is characterized by its preference for specific vegetational structures and altitudinal gradients. This species is primarily found inhabiting forest environments and shrubberies, where it thrives within the shaded or semi-shaded undergrowth of these ecosystems. Its distribution is vertically constrained within a defined elevational range, occurring from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea communis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it ensures its survival by protecting its regenerative organs beneath the soil surface. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage during dormant periods as part of its seasonal life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea communis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber. As a terrestrial plant, it exhibits a scandent shoot orientation, allowing it to ascend through its environment. The plant's physical stature varies, with a total plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 2.25 m. Its shoot length is substantial, typically spanning between 100 cm and 200 cm. Unlike parasitic or epiphytic species, this plant grows independently in its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Shoot length max:

200 cm

Shoot length min:

100 cm

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dioscorea communis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits significant leaf morphological characteristics, with an average leaf size of 61.24 cm². Furthermore, its leaf architecture is reflected in a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 303 cm²/g, indicating a specific relationship between its leaf mass and surface area that influences its resource acquisition and light interception strategies.

Leaf size mean:

61.24 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

303 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dioscorea communis is characterized by a dioecious sexual reproduction system, meaning self-fertilization is absent. The flowering process typically begins in April and concludes in June, featuring violet-colored flowers arranged in a panicle inflorescence. Pollination is driven by biotic factors, specifically through an insect pollination syndrome. Following successful pollination, the plant produces red, dry, indehiscent berries. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.18 cm (ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 cm) and a mean width of 1.08 cm (ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves have a mean mass of approximately 0.0179 g (ranging from 0.01549 to 0.0214 g) and a mean volume of 18 mm³ (ranging from 17 to 19 mm³). Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous mechanism, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are distributed through the digestive tracts of animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.18 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.08 cm

Fruit width min:

1.2 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.0214 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01789528575 g

Seed mass min:

0.01549 g

Seed volume max:

19 mm³

Seed volume mean:

18 mm³

Seed volume min:

17 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dioscorea communis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Dioscorea communis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Dioscorea communis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans.

Candida albicans

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Dioscorea communis has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol root extract, rhizomes, solvent-free extract.

Ethanol root extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizomes

1. Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale

Solvent-free extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology