Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a genus of 23 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. Cyclamen species are native to Europe and the Mediterranean Basin east to Iran, with one species in Somalia. They grow from tubers and are valued for their flowers with upswept petals and variably patterned leaves.

It was traditionally classified in the family Primulaceae and was reclassified in the family Myrsinaceae in 2000. Finally, in 2009 with the introduction of the APG III system, was returned to the subfamily Myrsinoideae within the family Primulaceae.

Cyclamen is Medieval Latin, from earlier Latin cyclamīnos, from Ancient Greek κυκλάμινος. Probably from κύκλος, “circle”, because of the round tuber. In English, the species of the genus are commonly called by the genus name. In many languages, cyclamen species are colloquially called by a name like the English sowbread, because they are said to be eaten by pigs.

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