Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Dioscoreaceae ⟩ Tamus communis / black bryony

Tamus communis L.

black bryony (Dioscoreaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadModerate tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonym | Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin

Tamus communis is a hedgerow climber which is common in much of England and Wales, but is hardly found north of a line from Seascale (VC70: Cumberland) to Newcastle-upon-Tyne (VC67: South Northumberland).

Creuse (23), France; 2013-07-14

 black bryony / Tamus communis: _Tamus communis_ is a hedgerow climber which is common in much of England and Wales, but is hardly found north of a line from Seascale (VC70) to Newcastle-upon-Tyne (VC67).

The small, greenish 6-parted flowers of Tamus communis are easily overlooked.

Heath (VC40: Salop); 2008-06-14

 black bryony / Tamus communis: The small, greenish 6-parted flowers of _Tamus communis_ are easily overlooked.

The leaves and fruit of Tamus communis are glossy, unlike those of Bryonia dioica. The fruits become red on ripening.

Hartslock (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-07-06

 black bryony / Tamus communis: The leaves and fruit of _Tamus communis_ are glossy, unlike those of _Bryonia dioica_. The fruits become red on ripening.

The red berries of Tamus communis can be seen draped over hedgerows long after the leaves have withered.

Long Crendon (VC24: Buckinghamshire); 2021-12-03

 black bryony / Tamus communis: The red berries of _Tamus communis_ can be seen draped over hedgerows long after the leaves have withered.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne