What is "bryonia alba"

Bryonin \Bry"o*nin\, n. (Chem.) A bitter principle obtained from the root of the bryony ( Bryonia alba and Bryonia dioica). It is a white, or slightly colored, substance, and is emetic and cathartic.

Bryony \Bry"o*ny\ (br[imac]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. [L. bryonia, Gr. brywni`a, fr. bry`ein to swell, esp. of plants.] (Bot.) The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus Bryonia. The root of Bryonia alba ( rough bryony or white bryony) and of Bryonia dioica is a strong, irritating cathartic.

Black bryony, a plant ( Tamus communis) so named from its dark glossy leaves and black root; black bindweed. [1913 Webster] ||

Bryonia alba (white bryony, wild hop) is a vigorous vine in the family Cucurbitaceae (squashes and melons) from Europe and Northern Iran. It has a growth habit similar to kudzu, which gives it a highly destructive potential outside its native range as a noxious weed. Other common names include false mandrake, English mandrake, wild vine, and wild hops, wild nep, tamus, ladies' seal, and tetterbury.