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Distribution & HabitatCyclamen rohlfsianum is confined in the wild, to a relatively small area between Benghazi and Derna in Cyrenaica, Libya, North Africa. It grows from sea level to 450m (1475ft) in rocky & scrubby maquis habitats, especially in the gullies and cracks of limestone rocks, often on terra-rossa. It is often found growing underneath bushes. |
C. rohlfsianum is a very distinct species, with a very corky and irregular tuber which has growing points distributed over the upper surface and roots appearing all over the lower surface. The leaves appear in late summer, and are broadly kidney shaped with broad triangular dentate lobes with prominent ribs. The upper surface is a shiny bright green, either plain or with an irregular silver-grey marbling in an uneven band. The lower surface of the leaves is either purplish or red. Size: 3.5-11.5cm (1.4 - 4.6 inches) long and 4.5-15.5cm (1.8 - 6.2 inches) wide. Chromosome count: 2n=96.
The sweetly fragrant flowers appear with or before the immature leaves, and are pink with a purplish magenta zone towards the base of each petal. The petals are lanceolate or elliptic and 11-26mm (0.4 - 1 inch) long, 6-10mm (0.25 - 0.4 inches) wide. The most outstanding feature of the flowers is the exserted stamens which make them appear similar to a Dodecatheon.
Until November 2000, no albino form of Cyclamen rohlfsianum was known. However, a chance seedling grown in Hampshire in the United Kingdom is soon to be described as Cyclamen rohlfsianum forma album. Illustrations can be seen by hitting the 'More Pictures' button above.
In cultivation C. rohlfsianum must be kept frost free, as it is the most tender of all the species. When the leaves die back in late spring, it should be kept totally dry during the summer months to ensure total dormancy. In August, the pots should be thoroughly soaked by immersing in water so as to encourage a good period of growth in order to encourage flowering before the cooler months with shorter days.