The Collaborative International Dictionary
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] ||
Wikipedia
Bryonia dioica, known by the common names red bryony and white bryony, also English mandrake or ladies' seal, is a perennial climbing vine indigenous to Central and Southern Europe. It is a flowering plant in the cucumber family Cucurbitaceae with five-pointed leaves and blue or white flowers. The vine produces a red berry fruit.
Usage examples of "bryonia dioica".
It must be carefully distinguished from English Mandrake (Bryonia dioica), which is sometimes offered as Mandrake root.