Bryonia

[Gr. bryo, I sprout.] ( Bot. ) A genus of plants, order Cucurbit acer. The most interesting species is B. dioica, the red-berried bryony, or wild vine, an indigenous perennial, growing in hedges and thickets, and blo oming during the month of May. The flowers are yellowish-white, with green streaks, and are die cio us; that is, the male and female flowers are borne by distinct plants. The stems are put forth annually, and climb by means of tendrils. The root is large, white, and is sold by herbalists under the names of white bryony and mandrake-root. (For the true mandrake, see MANDRAGORA.) The root contains a peculiar bitter principle, termed Bryonine . It is a violent emetic and purgative, and is highly poisonous, giving rise to symptoms much resembling those of cholera. A remedy often resorted to in homœopathic practice. B. is also employed as a topical application to bruises. B. Alba , American a , and African a have similar prop erties. IMG:content-0788.png:[blocks in formation]