About Bryonia dioica Jacq.
Bryonia dioica Jacq., commonly called red bryony, white bryony, English mandrake, or ladies' seal, is a perennial climbing flowering vine native to Central and Southern Europe. It belongs to the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae. It has five-pointed leaves, blue or white flowers, and produces red berry fruits. Most parts of Bryonia dioica are generally toxic to humans. Contact with the plant's juice on the skin causes inflammation that leads to rashes or ulcers. Ingesting small amounts of the juice causes intense gastrointestinal irritation, including nausea and vomiting, while larger amounts can lead to anxiety, paralysis, or death. In contrast, the seeds of this vine are safely edible, and are used as an ingredient in starch dishes in Western Europe.
