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Cyclamen
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Cyclamen

Cyclamen persicum

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameCyclamen
DescriptionCharming tuberous perennial featuring distinctive butterfly-like flowers with swept-back, reflexed petals held above decorative heart-shaped leaves often marbled with silver patterns. Blooms appear in shades of pink, red, purple, or white, many with sweet fragrance, during fall and winter when few other plants flower. Popular as houseplant and cool-season garden plant, valued for both elegant blooms and ornamental foliage that persists long after flowering.
FamilyPrimulaceae
GenusCyclamen
TribeCyclamineae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(5)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming short tube, 5 fused petals with reflexed (swept-back) lobes, 5 stamens fused to base of corolla tube, 5 fused carpels with superior ovary and free-central placentation

Features
  • Name 'Cyclamen' from Greek 'kyklos' (circle) referring to round, disc-like tuber. 'Persian Violet' for C. persicum from eastern Mediterranean. 'Sowbread' because wild pigs dig up and eat tubers. About 23 species, mostly Mediterranean. C. persicum is most common florist type
  • Flowers 0.75-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) long with 5 reflexed (swept-back) petals creating shuttlecock or butterfly shape. Petals twist as they age. Colors include pink, red, magenta, purple, white, and bicolors, often with darker blotch at base. Many varieties fragrant. Blooms on leafless stems 4-8 inches tall
  • Tuberous perennial with seasonal growth cycle. Florist types (C. persicum) bloom fall through spring (October-March) indoors. Hardy species bloom fall, winter, or spring depending on type. Goes dormant in summer—leaves yellow and die back. Tuber rests until triggered by cooler temperatures and moisture
  • Plant height 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) for florist types, hardy species 3-6 inches. Tuber grows 2-6 inches across. Lifespan of many years (10-20+) with proper care. Propagated from seed (slow, 15-18 months to bloom) or by separating small tubers. Tuber grows from top, roots from bottom and sides
  • Native to Mediterranean region, southern Europe, Turkey, Middle East, and parts of North Africa. C. persicum from eastern Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey, Lebanon). C. hederifolium from southern Europe. Found in rocky woodlands, under shrubs, and on shaded slopes
  • Prefers bright, indirect light (no direct sun). Thrives in cool temperatures (50-65°F/10-18°C)—struggles in heat. Requires well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. Water when soil surface dry, avoid wetting tuber crown. Reduce water as leaves yellow, keep nearly dry during summer dormancy. High humidity beneficial
  • Popular gift plant for holidays and winter color. Hardy species (C. hederifolium, C. coum) survive outdoors in zones 5-9. Attracts early-season pollinators. Deer and rodent resistant (tubers toxic). All parts toxic to humans and pets if ingested—causes vomiting, diarrhea. After flowering, seed capsules coil downward on spiral stems

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCyclamen persicum
English (Alternate)Persian cyclamen, Persian violet, Sowbread, Swinebread
Hindiअल्पाइन वायलेट (alpine violet),फारसी वायलेट (Farsi Vaylet), साइकलेमेन (Saikleman)
Tamilசீமை மீன்கொல்லி (Seemai meenkolli), சீமை வெள்ளரிப்பூ (Seemai vellari poo), சைக்லமன் (Saaikkalaman)
Teluguసురటి పువ్వు (Surati Puvvu), సైక్లామెన్ (Saiklaamen)
Malayalamസൈക്ലമെൻ (Saiklamen)
Kannadaಸೈಕ್ಲಮನ್ (Siklaman)
Sanskritकाण्ड-पुष्पम् (kand-puspam), म्लानम् (Mlanam)
Bengaliসাইক্লামেন (saiklamen), পারস্য বেগুনি (parsho beguni)
Frenchcyclamen
Russianцикламен (tsiklamen)
Spanishvioleta persa, violeta de los Alpes
GermanAlpenveilchen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.