Definition
briony
noun
- a climbing or trailing plant of the gourd family, native to Europe and North Africa, with greenish flowers and red or black berries
Usage: also spelled 'bryony'; two main species: white briony (Bryonia dioica) and black briony (Tamus communis)
Examples
- The briony vine climbed up the garden fence with its delicate tendrils.
- In autumn, the briony plant produces bright red berries that attract birds.
- Briony is a common wildflower found in hedgerows across the English countryside.
- The herbalist warned that briony roots are toxic and should never be ingested.
- Medieval herbals often mentioned briony as a remedy, though modern medicine has abandoned its use.