Bryony

This article is for plants in genus Bryonia. See also Black Bryony.

Bryony (pronounced /ˈbraɪəni/ or /ˈbriːəni/) is the common name for any of twelve species in the genus Bryonia. These are perennial, tendril-climbing, dioecious herbs with palmately lobed leaves and flowers in axillary clusters. The fruit is a smooth, globular berry.

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The English species Bryonia alba is known as white bryony and grows in hedgerows as far north as Yorkshire. There are eight varieties established in Europe.

Some species find use in herbal medicine.

Bryonia is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth.

Other

Variants of the plant name, such as Briony, Bryonie, and Bryony are used, in some cultures, as names for women or girls. It was quite popular in the 18th century. The name is most popular in and around Scottish regions where the plant is mainly seen and grown. This results in many Scottish versions of the name.

The Royal Navy have named two ships HMS Bryony, after the flower.

See also

Black Bryony - an unrelated plant of the Dioscoreaceae.