Smilax ,Dioscorea and Tamus
John Grimshaw (Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:50:25 PDT)

Our native Black Bryony, formerly Tamus communis, is now placed in Dioscorea
(D. communis) and is the only member of its family native to northern
Europe. The White Bryony, Bryonia dioica, is likewise the only northern
European cucurbit, and I've always thought it interesting that two unrelated
plants should have this peculiarity and share a common name.

As Mark Brown says, D. communis can be rather weedy, and persistent, but the
wreaths of red berries persisting into the winter on female plants make it
very attractive for a hedge or rough shrubbery.

I rather regret the loss of the name Tamus because - simple things please
simple minds - I always think of the black lady (only ever visible as feet)
in Tom and Jerry cartoons, shouting 'Ta-mus, Ta-mus'....

John Grimshaw

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