The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

Common Name: Black Bryony

General Information

Tamus communis is a Perennial Climber up to 3.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The whole plant is poisonous due to its saponin content[]. Taken internally, the plant can cause irritation of the mucous membrane and respiratory problems[].
Although toxic, saponins are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[].
The toxic effect of this plant is not caused by saponins, but by calcium oxalate crystals which are found mainly in the fruit[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, south and east from Britain and Belgium to N. Africa, Hungary, E. Mediterranean, W. Asia.

Habitat

Hedgerows, scrub, woodland edges and copses, avoiding acid soils[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist well-drained fertile soil[].
A climbing plant, the weak stems support themselves by twining around other plants and are capable of growing quite high up into shrubs and trees[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, , , ]. A decidedly bitter flavour[]. An asparagus substitute, it is best if the water is changed once whilst cooking[]. See notes at top of the page regarding possible toxicity.

Medicinal

The root is antiecchymotic, diuretic, emetic, haemolytic and rubefacient[, , ]. It is not normally used internally, but the macerated root is applied externally as a poultice to bruises, rheumatic joints etc[, ]. This should not be done without expert advice since it can cause painful blisters[].
The root is used fresh[] or can be harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The leaves and stem are diuretic and rubefacient. They are used as a treatment for asthma, skin diseases, rheumatism and lumbago. They can be applied as a stimulating poultice to the skin[], but this should not be done without expert advice since it can cause painful blisters[].

Use this remedywith caution, the plant is rich in saponins, has a very powerful cathartic affect and ranks as a dangerous irritant poison[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in a cold frame in early spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in the autumn. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle, and plant out in the summer or in late spring of the following year.