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cyclamen
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cyclamen pedicels in bird-of-paradise flower and Cyclamen Cyclamen (Cyclamen indicum)
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Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap
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cyclamen
cyclamen Cyclamen in bloom.

cyclamen

plant
Also known as: Cyclamen
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

cyclamen, (genus Cyclamen), genus of more than 20 species of flowering perennial herbs of the primrose family (Primulaceae) that are native to the Middle East and southern and central Europe. The florist’s cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), the best-known species, is notable as an indoor plant cultivated for its attractive white to pink to deep red flowers. A number of other species, including ivy-leaved cyclamen (C. hederifolium), are grown outside.

The plants grow from a tuber (a short underground stem) and have no stem above the ground. Long-stalked roundish or kidney-shaped leaves, often variously marked, grow from the base. Solitary flowers grow on stalks less than 30 cm (12 inches) tall. After flowering, the flower stalk often twists into a spiral, so bringing the capsular fruit close to the ground.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.