BRYONIA VERRUCOSA

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was given this name by W. Aiton in 1789. It is found on the Canary Islands, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to eight centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to four metres in height. The flowers are from greenish white to bright yellow. The fruits are two-five centimetres with stripes. First light and dark green, then orange and yellow. The genre name; Bryonia from bryein, meaning 'luxuriant growth'. verrucosa referring to the warts on the leaves. Bit too smooth leaves?. I found it on Gran Canaria with smooth leaves as well.