Bryonia dioica [White Bryony]: More samples and female flowers

[Nico]

Chalwatzis, N. 2013. Bryonia dioica Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae). White Bryony. Male and female flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light.

 

Bryonia dioica Jacq.

Syn. Bryonia. cretica auct., Bryonia cretica ssp. dioica (Jacq.) Tutin

 

NO: Rødgallebær; raudgallbær

SE: Röd hundrova

DK: Tvebo Galdebær

FI: Punakoiranköynnös

DE: Zweihäusige Zaunrübe, Rotfrüchtige Zaunrübe

EN: White Bryony

 

Only few species of the family Curcurbitaceae are found in central Europe. B. dioica is probably the most common of them. As the Latin name indicates the plants have either only male or only female flowers. These are mostly pollinated by the bee Andrena florea that feeds only on Bryonia species. In the river Rhine valley, at least in the greater Frankfurt area, both species (bee and plant) are quite common. Female flowers are significantly smaller compared to the male flowers. The later berry is already visible.

 

Male flowers were photographed near Bensheim, Germany 8 May 2013.

Female flowers were photographed near Bensheim, Germany 13 May 2013.

 

All images were taken with a broadband-modified Panasonic Lumix G1 and the EL-Nikkor 80mm/f5.6 at f8-11.

 

Male flower: Visible light image with IR-neutralisation-filter ND (Optic Makario), ISO 100

image reference: NCH_P1090133_130608

 

Male flower: UV-image, Baader U-filter 2”, ISO 400, sunlight

image reference: NCH_P1090136_130608

 

Male flower: Visible light image with IR-neutralisation-filter ND (Optic Makario), ISO 100

image reference: NCH_P1090142_130608

 

Male flower: UV-image, Baader U-filter 2”, ISO 400, sunlight

image reference: NCH_P1090142_130608

 

Female flower: Visible light image with IR-neutralisation-filter ND (Optic Makario), ISO 100

image reference: NCH_P1090265_130613

 

Female flower: UV-image, Baader U-filter 2”, ISO 400, sunlight

image reference: NCH_P1090262_130613

 

In both genders the petals are quite UV-reflective. The green veins and inner parts of the flowers are UV-dark.

 

Reference: Rørslett, B. 2013. Bryonia dioica Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae). White Bryony. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...a-white-bryony/

 

[published: June 19 2013]