PlantFiles: Black Bryony
Tamus communis

The whole plant is poisonous due to its saponin content, but from what I have read, it's poorly absorbed by the human system. Other animals and fish are more susceptible to it's tocxicity. The more toxic part of the plant for humans is actually the calcium oxalate crystals which are in the fruit. I don't know exactly what effect this has on the body, though.

It does not grow well (or at all) in acidic soils. It is a climber, too, and twines around other plants for support.

A tuberous, twining climber from Southern and Western Europe.

Has heart shaped, pointed, glossy, deep green, alternate leaves on weak twining stems. Bears small, 6 petalled, greenish-yellow flowers followed by red berries in autumn.

Flowers May-July

Likes a humus rich soil in light shade and can be found growing in deciduous woodland and hedges.

This plant has been used medicinally in the past but it must be stressed that all parts of the plant are POISONOUS to humans and livestock, MUST NOT BE TAKEN INTERNALLY NOR SHOULD ANY PLANT PART BE EATEN. There are safer remedies out there that are just as, if not, more effective. Externally it has been used to treat rheumatism, paralysis, gout, chilblains and to calm down the colour of bruises, again there are safer, more effective treatments available, this isn't the chappy to play herbalist with!

It's often reported that the berries are black on Black bryony, they are definitely red, the large tubers are black and contain a high degree of starch. The tubers are too acrid to be of any food value and again are poisonous.