Cyclamen cyprium 'E.S. form'

Distribution & Habitat Cyclamen cyprium is endemic to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Here it grows in the Kyrenia Mountains in woodland in rocky terrain, around Mount Troodos in pine forest, and in cedar forest in the Paphos area. It is found at altitudes from 300-1200m. Description Grey-Wilson (1988) asserts that "... C. cyprium looks like a rather refined C. hederifolium." whereas the author sees a similarity between C. cyprium and the species of Subgenus Psilanthum - C. repandum, C. balearicum and C. creticum.

The leaves are relatively small with a dentate margin and pointed apex. The colour varies from a dull dark green to an olive green, sometimes plain, but usually marked in a grey or grey-green.

These markings sometimes appear in a silvery-white colour, either in a hastate pattern or a pronounced, apparently random flecking. In cultivation this is often referred to as Cyclamen cyprium 'E.S. form' after Elizabeth Strangman of Washfield Nursery (Hawkhurst, Kent, UK) who first selected this. In the Kyrenia range in the north of Cyprus plants can be found where the silver predominates, producing a silvery leaf with green flecking.

Like the leaves, the flowers are relatively small, and vary from a being squat with a wide mouth to the corolla, or more slender with narrow petals. The mouth of the corolla has very pronounced auricles. The petals are white when mature, but sometimes open a very pale pink. There is a characteristic magenta or purple blotch at the base of the petals. The flowers are very fragrant.

Cultivation

Cyclamen cyprium is relatively hardy, and in the southern UK will grow successfully out of doors in a sheltered position. Unfortunately, as it flowers late in the year, the flowers are often damaged by frost. This is therefore a species which is better grown in a glasshouse or alpine house where it can be protected from frost. As a species which inhabits coniferous forests, it will appreciate some decayed pine needle litter incorporated in the compost.

Inter-specific Hybrids

In cultivation, Cyclamen cyprium has been crossed with C. libanoticum to produce Cyclamen x wellensiekii Ietswaart. This is named after Professor Dr Ir. S.J. Wellensiek of the Agricultural University of Wageningen, Netherlands, who first produced the hybrid in 1969. It has the intermediate characteristics between the two species, with pink flowers. It flowers between November and March and sets fertile seed.