 Cyclamen repandum ssp. repandum |
Distribution, Habitat & DescriptionCyclamen repandum is a widespread species, which in its various subspecies and forma's is found from southern France, through Corsica, Sardinia, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, the Greek Peloponnese, and the island of Rhodes. The various taxa which make up Cyclamen repandum have been treated in a diversity of ways by different authors. Here, we have followed that proposed by Grey-Wilson (1997). |
1..Leaf lamina as wide as long or wider, without obvious lobing:
ssp. peloponnesiacum
.............................................2
....Leaf lamina longer than
wide, generally with obvious lobing
......................................................................................3
2. Corolla pale to mid pink with a deeper pink zone around the
nose.............ssp. peloponnesiacum.var.
peloponnesiacum
....Corolla uniformly deep magenta-purple or
magenta-carmine......................ssp. peloponnesiacum var.
vividum
3. Leaf lamina unmarbled or with an irregular hastate pattern in
cream, pale green or grey-green; corolla deep carmine-pink, rarely white
..........................................................................................................................................ssp.
repandum
....Leaf lamina with or without a faint hastate pattern
in white, silver or grey-green, but most of the upper surface speckled or
dashed in addition, especially towards the margins; corolla white or very pale
pink with a mid- to deep pink zone around the nose
...........................................................................................................................................................
.ssp. rhodense
Subspecies repandum grows in Southern France, Corsica, Sardinia,
Italy, the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Albania, the Greek island of
Corfu and in the Petite Kabylie (Algeria). It grows in both deciduous and
Pinus woodland, or in maquis in shaded or semi-shaded situations,
generally in deep leaf litter, in rock crevices or amongst tree roots, from sea
level to 850m (2,786 ft).
C. repandum ssp. repandum var.
baborense Debussche & Quézel (1997) is described from six
discrete populations in the Petite Kabylia region of northern Algeria.
Debussche & Quézel distinguish var. barborense from the type,
by its longer and wider petals, the greater diameter of its corolla, and its
larger leaves.
Subspecies rhodense was thought to be endemic to the Greek island
of Rhodes, where it is widespread, however, in 1996 it was found growing in the
south west corner of the island of Kos - this being confirmed by the
Cyclamen Society's 1998 expedition to the Dodecanese
Islands.
It grows on mountain slopes in the shade of principally
Pinus brutia woodland, amongst rocks and tree roots and on the banks of
streams, where it can be found growing in shallow water. Sometimes, plants are
found growing in accumulations of pine needle litter up to 50cm deep. With the
exception of one population on Kos which is close to sea level,
ssp.rhodense is found at altitudes from 150-800m (490 - 2625 ft)
Subspecies peloponnesiacum is endemic to the Greek Peloponnese,
where it occurs in two forms. It is particularly valued for the attractive leaf
markings which characterise the taxa. These markings take the form of spotting
and splashing with a silvery-white, and there is a for where the silver covers
the entire upper leaf surface.
Variety peloponnesiacum is found in
the central and southern Peloponnese, mainly in the Taigetos Mountains and the
Mani Peninsula. It enjoys moist woody conditions and is particularly happy near
to streams. It is a subjective view that the leaves are generally thinner and
that it will not survive exposed sunny conditions. An albino form has been
found o the Mani Peninsula.
Variety vividum is found in the Parnon
and Madara Mountains and to the east, south and south west. That is to say, it
is confined to the eastern part of the Peloponnese. It is found growing
intermixed with var. peloponnesiacum in one area only, around (and
south-west of) the village of Aghia Petros, north-east of Mount Parnon. It
enjoys open, exposed sites with more exposure to the sun..
Ssp.
peloponnesiacum is found from sea level to 1050m (3,440 ft)
All forms of C. repandum have a chromosome count of 2n=20.
In cultivation, the four different taxa react differently. C. repandum ssp. repandum is often found to be difficult to grow in pots, preferring the open garden, where it is perfectly hardy. In the USA it has happily grown in a zone 4 area of New York State, but the flowers suffered from frost, turning brown, and in these extreme conditions it was found more satisfactory to grow it in a glasshouse.
Ssp. peloponnesiacum is the easiest to grow, particularly as var. peloponnesiacum. It too prefers shady damp conditions, but is less particular than ssp. rhodense. It is perfectly happy both in pots and the open ground, although the degree of hardiness does vary depending on the source of the form being grown. The high altitude forms being significantly more tolerant of frosty conditions. Variety vividum prefers sunnier conditions, provided there is dampness at the roots.
Ssp. rhodense is often considered the most difficult form to grow well. It requires shady, damp conditions and will not tolerate strong sunlight which easily scorches the leaves. As a woodland plant it benefits very much from the incorporation of decayed pine-needle litter incorporated in the compost.
Click here to display reports of the findings of the 1992 and 1993 Cyclamen Society Expeditions to the Peloponnessos to study Cyclamen repandum ssp. peloponnesiacum.