Category: Seminum | Sub-Category: Alpine and Rock Garden
Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cyclamen hederifolium
Family: (Primulaceae)
(P) to 6″. Ivy Leaved Sowbread. Attractive, ivy-shaped leaves are grey-green with silver-marbled markings. Orchid-pink, highly reflexed, Dodecatheon-like flowers have a magenta spot at the base of the petal. Beautiful. As the flowers fade after pollination the stems curl up, spiraling down to ground level. The seed case expands, protected by the emerging leaves, then splits open exposing the seeds. Each seed has a starchy coating that changes to sugar and attracts ants, thus aiding in the dispersal of seed by ants (myrmecochory). Simply fascinating. Partial shade. 3, D & T1