Cyclamen

Cyclamen

Cyclamen, Cyclamen species, come from Europe and Asia and are popular as potted plants or garden ornamentals. The name comes from the Greek word kyklos which means circular, because old flower stalks of some species twist into a spiral. The plant grows up from an underground tuber which pigs relish, so another name for some cyclamens is "Sow-bread". The petals of the flower are swept back suggesting the appearance of butterfly wings. [CH] {OX}