White bryony Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,354 found this helpful

All plant parts are toxic, with roots, berries, and seeds posing the highest risk; toxicity decreases significantly when the plant is dried.

Contains harmful triterpenes (including cucurbitacines) and ribosome-inactivating proteins that cause severe systemic toxicity.

Ingestion can lead to life-threatening symptoms and has been documented to cause death in multiple domestic animal species.

FAQ

Is White bryony toxic to Humans?

Vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, severe colic, abdominal pain, increased urination, apathy, uncoordinated movement, convulsions, hypothermia, breathing difficulty, rapid heart rate (Severe)

Is White bryony toxic to Cats?

Specific feline symptom data is not documented, but effects are expected to include gastrointestinal distress, neurological abnormalities, and potential organ damage consistent with other species (Severe)

Is White bryony toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, hyperthermia, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, diarrhea, may progress to fatal outcomes (Severe)

Is White bryony toxic to Horses?

Diarrhea or constipation, increased urination, sweating, breathing difficulty, uncoordinated movement, convulsions (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, severe colic, abdominal pain, increased urination, apathy, uncoordinated movement, convulsions, hypothermia, breathing difficulty, rapid heart rate

Cats

Severe

Specific feline symptom data is not documented, but effects are expected to include gastrointestinal distress, neurological abnormalities, and potential organ damage consistent with other species

Dogs

Severe

Vomiting, hyperthermia, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, diarrhea, may progress to fatal outcomes

Horses

Severe

Diarrhea or constipation, increased urination, sweating, breathing difficulty, uncoordinated movement, convulsions

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, especially roots, berries, and seeds; toxicity significantly decreases when dried

Exposure RoutePrimarily ingestion of any plant part; skin contact with sap may cause mild to moderate irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsCucurbitacines B, D, E, I, J, K, L, S; Bryodulcosigenin; Bryonioside A-G; Bryosigenin; Cabenoside D; Bryonolic acid; Bryocumaric acid; Cycloartan-type triterpenes; Bryodin 1; Bryodin 2

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• If ingested and the affected individual is conscious and alert, safely induce vomiting to remove unabsorbed toxins
• Administer activated charcoal as soon as possible to bind remaining toxic compounds in the digestive tract
• Monitor vital signs including breathing, heart rate, and consciousness level continuously while seeking care

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of any part of White bryony, even if no symptoms are immediately present
• Development of symptoms including vomiting, bloody diarrhea, convulsions, breathing difficulty, or uncoordinated movement
• Presence of apathy, abnormal urination, or hypothermia after potential exposure to the plant

Prevention

• Remove all White bryony plants from areas accessible to children, pets, and livestock to prevent accidental ingestion
• Avoid consuming any wild foraged plants that may be visually confused with White bryony or its lookalike species
• Wear protective gloves when handling the plant to avoid contact with toxic sap that may cause skin irritation

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform decontamination procedures including induced vomiting (where safe) and gastric lavage if exposure is recent
• Provide supportive symptomatic care including fluid therapy, pain management, and treatment for convulsions or respiratory distress
• Closely monitor kidney function throughout recovery to detect and address any potential organ damage

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameBryonia alba L.

AliasesWild hop

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractKidneysRespiratory systemCardiovascular systemNervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Triterpene compounds including cucurbitacines cause severe irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and systemic organ damage

• Ribosome-inactivating proteins (Bryodin 1 and 2) inhibit cellular protein synthesis, leading to widespread tissue damage

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Domestic Pig: Symptoms include vomiting, colic, watery/bloody diarrhea, dyspnea, incoordination, convulsions, and polyuria/anuria; fatal cases are documented

Cattle: Symptoms include diarrhea, reduced milk production, recumbency, and dyspnea; fatal cases have been reported

Poultry (Chickens, Ducks): Fatal poisoning cases have been recorded following ingestion of the plant

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Bryony species Bryonia spp.

Closely related species have near-identical appearance and similar toxicity profiles, making differentiation difficult for non-experts

Common Ivy Hedera helix

Similar vining growth habit; Ivy has distinct lobed leaves while White bryony has broader, unlobed leaves, both species are toxic

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Related Toxic Plants

Bitter Apple

Citrullus colocynthis

Severely Toxic

Squirting Cucumber

Ecballium elaterium

Highly Toxic

Balsam Apple

Momordica balsamina

Moderately Toxic

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.