Cyclamen graecum
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Cyclamen graecum is a species of the genus cyclamen ( Cylamen ) within the Primrose family (Primulaceae). It is mainly found in southern mainland Greece and the Aegean islands.
description
Cyclamen graecum grows as a perennial herbaceous plant and reaches heights of 10 to 15 cm. It forms a tuber as a persistence organ, which is heavily rooted in the middle of the underside. The tubers grow steadily over many years and can reach a diameter of 15 to 20 cm and a weight of a few kilograms. Their surface becomes rough and flaky with age.
The flowering time depends on the rainfall and is from September to November. When it rains late in autumn, it blooms into December. The flowers are pale pink to deep pink purple with two dark spots at the base of the petal, but also pure white. The five petals are bent back, 15-25 mm long and are rotated 90 ° around their longitudinal axis. At the base of the petals there are clearly shaped auricles and the petals are darker in color than in the upper part. Starting from the base, some colored, slowly fading lines run across the petals. The flowers are mostly odorless, but some plants are also slightly fragrant.
The flower stalk curls up after the flower has been fertilized, starting in the middle of the stalk. This distinguishes C. graecum from most other types of cyclamen (e.g. Cyclamen hederifolium ), in which the stem begins to roll up at the flower. The fruit capsules rolled into the stalk ripen lying on the ground until spring.
The leaves appear some time after flowering has started (depending on the moisture available). The leaf stalks are directed straight up and have triangular, heart-shaped leaves. They reach a size of 5–15 cm in length and 3–13 cm in width. The leaf patterns are very variable in shape and color. The leaf pattern on the top is made up of various shades of green, gray, silver, or occasionally cream. The underside of the leaves is purple or occasionally greenish. The leaf margin is somewhat thickened and slightly serrated.
Occurrence
The distribution area of Cyclamen graecum is the southern mainland of Greece , the Peloponnese , the Cyclades islands of the eastern Aegean (excluding Rhodes) and small areas in northwest Crete . Cyclamen graecum thrives in areas with hot, dry summers and mild, humid winters at an altitude of 0–800 m. They can be found on clay over limestone, in earth hollows, rock crevices, under bushes, in old olive plantations or in fully shaded locations.
The two subspecies of Cyclamen graecum are distinguished based on the properties of the flowers .
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Cyclamen graecum subsp. graecum - pink flowers with darker spots on the nose (Greece, Aegean Islands, Crete)
- Cyclamen graecum subsp. graecum f. album - completely white flower (Peloponnese, Rhodopou Peninsula of Crete)
- Cyclamen graecum subsp. mindleri Hildebr. (or candicum Ietsw . ) - flowers white or matt pink with clearly pronounced auricles (West Crete)
The current species Cyclamen maritimum was formerly known as the subspecies Cyclamen graecum subsp. anatolicum .
use
Due to the extremely variable leaves, Cyclamen graecum is a very attractive plant for many months outside of the flowering period. It is not hardy in Central Europe, but can be overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse.
gallery
Flower details
Curling the styles at the middle of the style (Peloponnese)
Flowers on a large scaly tuber (SO Naxos)
leaves
swell
literature
- J. Krejca, A. Jakobova: Rock garden plants. VEB Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag, Berlin 1989, ISBN 3-331-00185-6 , p. 178.
- Fritz Köhlein: The big book of rock garden plants. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-8001-6559-7 .
- Christopher Gray-Wilson: Cyclamen: A Guide for Gardeners, Horticulturists and Botanists . Pavilion Books, 2015, ISBN 978-1-84994-221-8 ( limited preview in Google Book Search).
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Cyclamen graecum - Distribution, Habitat & Description. In: cyclamen.org
- ↑ Christian Grunert: The great bulb book. Berlin: VEB Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag, 1990, ISBN 3 331-00193-7 .
- ^ Oleg Polunin, Anthony Huxley: Flowers on the Mediterranean. BLV Munich Basel, Munich 1970.
- ^ Cyclamen maritimum - Distribution, Habitat & Description. In: cyclamen.org
- ↑ Fritz Köhlein: The great book of rock garden plants. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-8001-6559-7 .
