Bryonia alba aka White Bryony

Taxonomy

Genus Bryonia Family Cucurbitaceae Order Cucurbitales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Bryonia alba, also known as white bryony, wild hop, false mandrake, English mandrake, wild vine, and wild hops, is a vigorous vine in the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to Europe and Northern Iran and grows similarly to kudzu, making it a potential noxious weed outside its native range. The herbaceous, perennial, climbing plant produces branching stems up to 4 meters long from a tuberous rootstock and scrambles over the ground, attaching itself to surrounding vegetation with tendrils. While it has been used in the past as a medicine and possibly as a food, caution should be exercised with both uses. It is also sometimes grown as an ornamental in hedgerows. White Bryony, belonging to the Bryonia genus, is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and abundant sunlight, thriving best less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

White Bryony, European White Bryony, Wild Hop, False Mandrake, English Mandrake

How to care for White Bryony

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for White Bryony, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

White Bryony should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the White Bryony prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for White Bryony plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Region of origin

White Bryony’s native range is Europe to W. Asia - Iran.

More info:
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More Species in Bryonia Genus

Bryonia dioica White Bryony

Bryonia cretica White Bryony