Ebenus cretica

Ebenus cretica, common name Cretan ebony, is a leguminous small shrub in the family Fabaceae.

Ebenus cretica
Flowers of Ebenus cretica at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Ebenus
Species:	E. cretica
Binomial name
Ebenus cretica L.

Description

Plants of Ebenus cretica

Ebenus cretica can reach a height of 50–100 centimetres (20–39 in). This perennial flowering plant has composite pubescent leaves and bright pink or purple flowers, on 5–20 centimetres (2.0–7.9 in) long racemes. These flowers bloom from late March to June.

Distribution

This species is native to the Mediterranean island of Crete. It grows on rocky hillsides or on steep cliffs, at an elevation of 0–600 metres (0–1,969 ft) above sea level.

References

• Encyclopedia of Life entry
• "Ebenus cretica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
• J.C. Vlahos and M. Dragassaki Propagation of Cretan Silver Bush (Ebenus cretica L.), A Potential New Flower Crop

External links

• West Crete