Red bryony Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 4,669 found this helpful

All plant parts are toxic, with highest concentrations in roots, berries, and seeds; toxicity significantly reduces when dried.

Ingestion can cause severe gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiac symptoms, with recorded fatalities in multiple animal species.

No specific antidote exists; treatment relies on decontamination and targeted symptomatic supportive care.

FAQ

Is Red bryony toxic to Humans?

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

Is Red bryony toxic to Cats?

No species-specific data available; expected to cause comparable severe symptoms to other mammals including vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, neurological distress, and potential organ damage (Severe)

Is Red bryony toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, hyperthermia, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, diarrhea, fatal outcomes have been recorded (Severe)

Is Red bryony toxic to Horses?

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

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

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

Cats

Severe

Dogs

Severe

Vomiting, hyperthermia, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, diarrhea, fatal outcomes have been recorded

Horses

Severe

Diarrhea or constipation, increased urination, sweating, difficulty breathing, incoordination, convulsions

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, especially roots, berries and seeds; toxicity significantly decreases upon drying

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route; dermal contact may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsTriterpenes (cucurbitacins B, D, E, I, J, K, L, S, bryodulcosigenin, bryoniosides A-G, bryosigenin, cabenoside D, bryonolic acid, bryocumaric acid, cycloartan-type triterpenes); Ribosome-inactivating proteins (bryodin 1, bryodin 2)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed person or animal immediately
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical or veterinary professional
• Collect a sample of the plant for formal identification to confirm exposure
• Contact emergency medical or veterinary services without delay

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of red bryony by pets or grazing livestock
• Onset of symptoms including vomiting, bloody diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or uncoordinated movement after potential exposure
• Abnormal urine output, lethargy, or seizures observed following possible contact with the plant

Prevention

• Remove red bryony plants from areas accessible to children, pets, and grazing livestock
• Avoid foraging for wild edible plants in areas where red bryony grows to prevent accidental ingestion
• Educate gardeners and livestock owners on the distinct appearance and toxicity risks of this plant

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer gastrointestinal decontamination (e.g. activated charcoal) as appropriate for the exposure timeline
• Provide supportive care including fluid therapy, pain management, and respiratory support as required
• Monitor kidney function closely to detect and address early signs of organ damage
• Manage seizures, cardiac abnormalities, and temperature dysregulation with targeted medications as they arise

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameBryonia dioica Jacq.; Bryonia cretica L. subsp. dioica (Jacq.) Tutin

AliasesWhite bryony、Devil's turnip、Common briony、Wild pumpkin、White vine

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractKidneysCentral nervous systemRespiratory systemCardiovascular system

Mechanism of Action

• Cucurbitacin triterpenes cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to extreme fluid loss and abdominal pain

• Ribosome-inactivating proteins inhibit cellular protein synthesis, resulting in widespread tissue and organ damage

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Pig: Vomiting, colic, watery-bloody diarrhea, difficulty breathing, incoordination, seizures, polyuria/anuria, fatal outcomes reported

Cattle: Diarrhea, reduced milk production, recumbency, difficulty breathing, fatal outcomes reported

Poultry (chickens, ducks): Fatal poisoning cases have been recorded, limited species-specific symptom data available

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Bryonia species Bryonia spp.

Closely related Bryonia species have nearly identical morphology and comparable toxicity profiles, making differentiation difficult without specialized botanical expertise

Common ivy Hedera helix

Similar vining growth habit; common ivy has distinct lobed leaves and dark black berries, while red bryony produces bright red berries and broader, mostly unlobed leaves

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Related Toxic Plants

Colocynth

Citrullus colocynthis

Severely toxic

Squirting cucumber

Ecballium elaterium

Highly toxic

Buffalo gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima

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.