White Bryony

Bryonia dioica – I spotted the greenish-white blooms of this wild flower as I approached a hedgerow dividing two fields, one of my favourite places to visit. Only a couple of blooms had been teased out by the spring sunshine, but there was plenty of fresh buds, and creeping tendrils were pushing their way through the grass and other lush vegetation, beginning the climb upwards. The fig-like leaves have five deep cut lobes. The red berries of this plant are quite poisonous. Double-click images to enlarge.

White Bryony Bryonia dioica
White Bryony Bryonia dioica leaf

© Peter Hillman ♦ 9th May 2020 ♦ Local hedgerow, South Staffordshire ♦ Nikon D7200

18 thoughts on “White Bryony”

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      It is quite something special, Emma. You are probably safer where you are at present. Despite talks of easing lockdown restrictions the infections rates are still quite high here. Nice to hear from you 🙂

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  7. pflanzwas
    Reply

    Very nice! Here the plant is rather seldom. There is a wild bee that lives on Bryonia, maybe you heard of it (Andrena florea)? As I heard there should be a small population in Hannover or maybe two in some places where they found the plants. It would be so nice, if the population grows again. It is so awful for the depending kinds if their flowers disappear.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Adele Brand
    Reply

    I always recognise bryony berries because they’re so distinctive, but the flower threw me a bit when I spotted it last week. The UK has a fine collection of rather violent plants, from bryony to nightshade and monkshood. Definitely one to ‘admire from afar’ – very pretty flower though.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      I had never really noticed the flowers before, and thought how pretty they were when I first spotted them. Didn’t realise how hairy they was until I got closer.

      Liked by 1 person

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