Dioscorea communis

RHS Plant Profile
black bryony

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black bryony RHS
black bryony RHS
black bryony RHS

Other common names

devil's cherry, lady's seal, mandrake, murraim berries, oxberry

Synonyms

Tamus communis

Climber Wall Shrub

A herbaceous perennial climber often found in woodland margins, scrub and hedges. It has deep, fleshy roots and alternate, glossy heart shaped leaves to 18cm long. Small yellow-green flowers are produced in summer which have a cinnamon fragrance, and are followed by round red berries that remain on the plant until winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Dioscoreaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): TOXIC if eatenskin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Dioscorea can be evergreen or deciduous, twining perennials with tuberous roots and simple or palmate leaves and small bell-shaped greenish or yellow flowers in racemes from the leaf axils
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Mediterranean, Macaronesia, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

An interesting addition to wildlife areas, or scrambling over a mature hedge, with glowing red berries attractive to birds. Grows freely in sun and partial shade, less successful in full shade and in damp or poorly drained soils. See bryony for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required, but long stems may be shortened or removed where not wanted. Wear gloves when handling the plant

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and froghoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free