The Red-Berried Bryony is very common in the South of England, where it
climbs over the hedges and grows among the thickets. But it does not
grow wild in the North. It is in flower all summer and autumn.
The stems of this plant are soft and easily broken, and they have not
enough strength to keep the leaves and flowers upright. But at the
bottom of each leaf-stalk, there are long curly green tendrils, and with
these the Bryony catches hold of some stronger plant, which helps to
support it.
The flowers are greenish-white in colour, and they grow in loose heads
which spring from between the leaf-stalk and the stem.
These flowers have five separate greenish-white petals covered with a
fine network of veins and with many transparent hairs.
At the back of the petals sits a green calyx-cup edged with five pointed
teeth.
When the flowers are withered they are followed by groups of beautiful
dark red berries.
The Red Bryony leaves are very large, and are shaped like a hand with
five blunt fingers. The green colour is pale and bright, and each leaf
is covered with short white hairs.