Image of Cretan Ebony

Description:

Habitat: almost vertical rocky road side, west aspect; dry, sunny place; elevation 260 m (850 feet); average precipitations about 960 mm/year, average temperature about 18 deg C, Mediterranean phytogeographical region. Comment: Ebenus cretica is a very impressing plant growing exclusively on Crete Island in Mediterranean Sea. It is actually a low bush, sometimes up to 1 m tall and frequently occurring in large populations. In west Crete, at least, it is common and grows in rocky habitats, cliffs and dry slopes covering them with beautiful silvery-pink tapestry. When in bloom it is almost impossible to overlook it. A very beautiful plant, which however is also very difficult to cultivate. Ref.: (1) V. Papiomytoglou, Wildblumen Griechenland, Mediterraneo Editions (2006), p117. (2) M. Blamey, C. Grey-Wilson, Wild Flowers of the Mediterranean, A & C Black, London (2005), p 110. (3) I. Schnfelder, P. Schnfelder, Kosmos Atlas Mittelmeer- und Kanarenflora, Kosmos, (2002), p 98.