Persian cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum, family Primulaceae
A tuberous winter-blooming plant with upswept pink or white flowers
Persian cyclamen is a herbaceous perennial that grows from a corky tuber and bears heart-shaped leaves and sweetly scented flowers in winter or spring. Though named for Persia, it is native to the eastern Mediterranean and parts of North Africa, and is widely grown as a potted ornamental.
- Not actually from Persia despite its name
- Was Israel’s national flower until 2013
- Tubers were used by Bedouins to stun fish
- Flowers symbolize mourning in Jewish and Christian traditions
- All parts are toxic to humans and pets
What does Persian cyclamen look like?
Persian cyclamen grows up to 32 cm tall from a rounded, corky tuber. Its leaves are heart-shaped, fleshy, and often marked with silver above and reddish beneath. The flowers have five petals that curve sharply upward, usually white or pale pink with a deep magenta band at the base. Wild forms carry a sweet scent, though most cultivated types do not.
Where does Persian cyclamen come from?
Despite its name meaning 'from Persia,' this plant does not grow wild in Iran. It is native to rocky slopes and woodlands from south-central Turkey through the Levant to North Africa. It was first noted in Paris before 1620 and has been cultivated in France since 1731. Breeding of garden varieties began in England in the 1860s using only wild forms of the species.
When and how Persian cyclamen blooms
It blooms in winter and spring (var. persicum) or autumn (var. autumnale). The plant dies back in summer heat and survives as an underground tuber. It prefers cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers, typical of its native Mediterranean climate. Seeds germinate best in darkness at 18°C and remain viable only when fresh.
How Persian cyclamen is used
It is commonly sold as a potted gift for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. In Israel, it was the national flower until 2013. Some cultures used its tubers to stun fish or make soap, and its leaves are eaten stuffed in Palestinian cuisine. All parts are toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation.
Kinds of Persian cyclamen
Two natural varieties exist: var. persicum, which flowers in winter and spring across the entire range, and var. autumnale, which blooms in autumn. Within var. persicum, forms include pure white (f. albidum), rose-pink (f. roseum), and red to carmine (f. puniceum). Cultivars are frost-tender and bred solely from wild variants.
What Persian cyclamen means
In Jewish tradition, its drooping flowers symbolize mourning for the destroyed Temple, and one Hebrew name recalls King Solomon’s crown. Christians associate its shape with Mary’s sorrow for Jesus, making it common in Marian churches. Medieval belief held that stepping over it could cause miscarriage, likely due to its known toxicity.
Where Persian cyclamen is used and seen
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Persian cyclamen
Where is Cyclamen persicum originally from?
It is native to rocky hillsides from south-central Turkey through the Levant to northern Algeria and Tunisia, not Persia as its name suggests.
What does it symbolize in religion?
In Judaism, its bent flowers represent mourning for the destroyed Temple. In Christianity, they symbolize Mary’s grief for Jesus, especially in churches dedicated to her.
Is it safe to have around pets or children?
No. All parts are semi-poisonous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in pets, even heart issues or convulsions. Its bitter taste usually prevents large ingestions.
When does it bloom?
The main variety flowers in winter and spring; another natural form, var. autumnale, blooms in autumn. It goes dormant during the hot, dry summer.
Why is it called sowbread?
Old English, French, and Italian names refer to pigs eating the tubers, 'sowbread,' 'pain de pourceau,' and 'pan porcino', though the plant is toxic to many animals.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Cyclamen persicumRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Cyclamen persicum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cyclamen persicum", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryPhool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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