Cyclamen is a genus of plants grown for their flowers in the family Primulaceae. Other names used for this genus include Sowbread and Persian Violet. The Florist's cyclamen is C. persicum, which is tender. Some species are more hardy and can be grown outdoors in mild climates such as the Pacific Northwest. Though Cyclamen are not particularly cold-hardy, they have evolved to estivate by losing all leaves in the drought and heat of summer, and start up again with autumn rains, relying on enlarged hypocotyls for storage of water and energy.
Cyclamen species have been used medicinally, though not applied to the skin as an emetic as rumor tells.
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es:Ciclamen
it:Ciclamino
he:רקפת מצויה
