Bryonia cretica explained

Bryonia cretica, also known as Cretan bryony or English mandrake is a perennial species of Bryonia.^[1]

Its flowers bloom in the summer and usually grow between 3 and 5mm. Its fruit, which is not for human consumption, can normally be harvested at any time except in late winter.^[2]

It is a common plant in most of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Turkmenistan with some reports of its increasing occurrence in the UK.

Subspecies

Four subspecies are accepted.

• Bryonia cretica subsp. acuta – Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Lampedusa
• Bryonia cretica subsp. cretica – eastern Mediterranean, from Greece to Turkey, the Levant, Egypt, and Libya
• Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica – central and southern Europe, Great Britain, and North Africa
• Bryonia cretica subsp. marmorata – Corsica and Sardinia

Notes and References

1. Benarba . Bachir . Belhouala . Khadidja . 2024-01-18 . The Genus Bryonia L. (Cucurbitaceae): A Systematic Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses, and Biological Activities . Sci . 6 . 1 . 7 . 10.3390/sci6010007 . free . 2413-4155.
2. Web site: Bryony / RHS . 2024-09-14 . www.rhs.org.uk . en-gb.