The Red-Berried Bryony is very common in the South of England, where it climbs over the hedges and grows among the thickets. But it does not grow wild in the North. It is in flower all summer and autumn.
The stems of this plant are soft and easily broken, and they have not enough strength to keep the leaves and flowers upright. But at the bottom of each leaf-stalk, there are long curly green tendrils, and with these the Bryony catches hold of some stronger plant, which helps to support it.
The flowers are greenish-white in colour, and they grow in loose heads which spring from between the leaf-stalk and the stem.
These flowers have five separate greenish-white petals covered with a fine network of veins and with many transparent hairs.
At the back of the petals sits a green calyx-cup edged with five pointed teeth.
When the flowers are withered they are followed by groups of beautiful dark red berries.
The Red Bryony leaves are very large, and are shaped like a hand with five blunt fingers. The green colour is pale and bright, and each leaf is covered with short white hairs.