A poisonous plant that is a purgative and will give you terrible diarrhoea. The root used to be sold to unfortunate victims as mandrake root with unpleasant results. It has male and female flowers on the same plant although the flowers are very similar.
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White Bryony
White Bryony
| Hedgerow Type | |
| Common Names | English Mandrake. |
| Scientific Name | Bryonia dioica |
| Season Start | Mar |
| Season End | Nov |
Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Leaves
Starting almost arrow head shaped but soon developing into palmate, five lobed leaves.
Male Flowers
Five white to green petals with wavy and orange to yellow edged stamen in the middle.
Female Flowers
Five white to green petals with green three forked stigmas in the middle.
Fruit
Small rounded berries starting green and turning from red to dark crimson/purple when mature.
Habitat
Almost anywhere as they spread mainly from seed dispersal by birds but do require a fence or another plant to grow up as they are a fast spreading climber.
Frequency
Fairly common.
Medicinal Uses
Was used as a laxative in the past but the results were so explosive it is not considered safe for this use anymore.
