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Cyclamen hederifolium - Aiton.

Common Name Cyclamen, Alpine Violet, Persian Violet
Family Primulaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards Poisonous.
Habitats Shady woodlands, usually on limestone[28, 31, 89].
Range S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen, Alpine Violet, Persian Violet


Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen, Alpine Violet, Persian Violet

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid fall. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cyclamen hederifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from October to June, in flower from July to November, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. europaeum. Auct. C. neapolitanum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Homeopathy  Purgative

The fresh rootstock is a drastic purgative. It should be used with extreme caution[4, 21, 46]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root[4]. It is applied externally to the bowels to cause purging[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants can be used as a ground cover, though they will need to be given a mulch of leaf mould in order to keep the weeds at bay when they are dormant in the summer[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Rock garden. Prefers a cool habitat and a well-drained humus rich soil[13]. Easily grown in a stony leafy soil in sun or shade[90]. Thrives in the light shade of trees. Tolerates a pH between 5.5 and 8[200]. This species is hardy to about -18°c[200]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[133, 134]. Fresh seed germinates in 3 - 6 weeks[133]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water, sow shallowly and keep in a shady position at 15°c[124]. Germination may be slow and erratic[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in April/May. Very easy, the larger tubers can be planted out straight into their permanent positions whilst it is best to pot up the smaller ones and grow them on for a season before planting them out.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Aiton.

Botanical References

89200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Christy Smith   Sun May 27 2007

hello my name is christy my sister got a cyclamen as a get well i love you gift from hre husband and i was trying to see how to trans plant it and keek it growing , and hoe to get more form the same plant .like with spider plants you put .the piece in a glass of water and let it get a root . my quistion is with the cyclamen doyou do just take the piece that bracks off and put in potting soil and what and see or just toss. i am very interasted in this so ithank you fro tour time and udertsnading. yours not normaly a green thume Christy -smith e-mail address [email protected]

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Subject : Cyclamen hederifolium  
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