Bryonia cretica

Bryonia cretica, commonly known as Cretan Bryony, is a climber.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Bryonia cretica 11.1 History 11.2 Bryonia cretica in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Bryonia cretica was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Cretan Bryony is a species in the genus Bryonia (bryony) which contains 12 species and belongs to the family of the Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The climbers grow to a height of approximately 3 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Bryonia cretica has simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are palmately lobed.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled and pale green. The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in racemes.

The fruits are berries.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Bryonia cretica is native to Greece, Crete, Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Iran, Central Asia, Egypt and Libya.

[edit] Cultivation

The Cretan Bryony can withstand temperatures down to -12,2º C.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Bryonia cretica is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Bryonia cretica

[edit] History

[edit] Bryonia cretica in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Bryonia cretica in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Bryonia creticafr:Bryonia cretica