Bryonia cretica L.
White bryony (Bryonia cretica) is a long-lived, perennial climbing vine that is native to Eurasia and the Mediterranean. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1991. The plant climbs using branched tendrils and has rough, deeply lobed leaves. It flowers from November to January, producing small, greenish-white flowers, which develop into green berries that ripen to bright red. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively from a large tuberous root that resprouts after damage. Seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals that eat the berries. The tuberous root is spread by soil movement and other human activities. All parts of the plant, especially the berries and root, are poisonous if eaten.
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