Bryonia cretica ssp. Dioica 

'Red Bryony'

[Ex. Darlington, England]

Cucurbitaceae: a tuberous perennial climbing vine to 3.5m. Found in scrub and woodland, especially on well-drained soils. The flowers are small, greenish, and produced, generally three or four together, the flowers are dioecious. Blooming from May-June. The flowers are followed by pale scarlet, pea sized berries. The leaves are stalked, with the stalk curved, shorter than the blade, which is divided into five lobes, of which the middle one is the longest. The stems climb by means of long tendrils springing from the side of the leaf stalks. Native to Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to Northern Africa and Western Asia.

USES:

A powerful cathartic and purgative, bryony is used with great caution in present-day herbalism. It is primarily prescribed for painful rheumatic conditions. The root has cathartic, cytotoxic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hydrogogue, irritant, pectoral, purgative and vermifuge properties. It is used in small quantities internally in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, bronchial complaints, asthma, intestinal ulcers, hypertension and arthritis. The whole herb has an antiviral effect.

WARNING: All parts of the plant are poisonous.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seed from autumn to late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. GA3/Gibberellic acid work well, germinating in 4 weeks with warmth.

A rapid grower, it is of easy cultivation succeeding in most soils that are well drained, avoiding acid soils in the wild. Prefers a sunny position. A very deep-rooted climbing plant, attaching itself to other plants by means of tendrils. Plants are dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

HARVESTED: 2023*

 

APPROX. 50 SEEDS