Cyclamen repandum
A Mediterranean wild cyclamen with heart-shaped leaves and spring flowers
Cyclamen repandum is a small flowering plant from southern Europe and Mediterranean islands. It grows in rocky woodlands and shrubland, with deep pink or white flowers in late spring and heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Gardeners value it for its hardiness and attractive spring display.
- Native to southern Europe and Mediterranean islands
- Flowers in late spring with pink or white blooms
- Grows in rocky woodlands and shrubland
- Leaves are heart-shaped with wavy or lobed edges
- Recognized for garden value in the UK
What does Cyclamen repandum look like?
Cyclamen repandum is a low-growing plant reaching about 10 cm tall. Its leaves are heart-shaped, dark green, and often have a lighter arrowhead marking. The edges of the leaves can be wavy or lobed. In late spring, it produces slender flowers with petals that curve sharply upwards, usually in deep carmine-pink or sometimes white. The flowers do not have the small ear-like shapes seen in some other cyclamens.
Where does Cyclamen repandum come from?
This species is native to parts of southern Europe, including areas of France, Italy, Serbia, and several Mediterranean islands such as Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. It is found in rocky ground, shrubland, and woodland close to the Mediterranean Sea. The plant belongs to a group of cyclamens with similar leaf shapes and spring flowering. The name 'repandum' refers to the turned-up shape of the petals.
When and how Cyclamen repandum blooms
Cyclamen repandum grows from a tuber, which sends out roots from the center of its underside. It prefers partial shade and can grow in a range of soils, including chalk, clay, sand, or loam, and tolerates different soil pH levels. The plant is hardy in mild climates and takes two to five years to reach its full size. It is deciduous, dying back after flowering.
How Cyclamen repandum is used
People grow Cyclamen repandum mainly for its attractive spring flowers and foliage. It is suitable for gardens that mimic woodland or rocky environments. The plant is appreciated for its ability to thrive in shady spots and its resilience to cooler temperatures. A particular subspecies is recognized for its value in gardens.
Kinds of Cyclamen repandum
The Cyclamen repandum group includes related species such as C. rhodium, C. balearicum, and C. creticum. Natural hybrids can form where these species grow together, including crosses between C. repandum and its relatives. The subspecies C. repandum subsp. repandum is noted for its wavy-edged leaves.
What Cyclamen repandum means
Cyclamen repandum is valued by gardeners for its spring bloom and adaptability. It has received recognition for garden merit in the UK. While it is not tied to religious or national symbolism, it is part of the rich diversity of Mediterranean wildflowers and is sometimes grown in collections or woodland gardens.
Where Cyclamen repandum is used and seen
Questions people ask about Cyclamen repandum
Where does Cyclamen repandum come from?
Cyclamen repandum is native to southern Europe, including parts of France, Italy, Serbia, and Mediterranean islands like Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. It grows wild in rocky and wooded areas near the Mediterranean.
What does Cyclamen repandum look like?
It is a small plant with heart-shaped, dark green leaves that often have lighter markings. Its flowers appear in late spring and are usually deep pink or white, with petals that curve sharply upwards.
How is Cyclamen repandum used?
Gardeners grow it mainly for its attractive spring flowers and foliage. It is suited to shady gardens and can handle a range of soil types. It is valued for its resilience and spring display.
Are there any notable varieties or hybrids?
Yes, Cyclamen repandum has related species and can form hybrids with them where they grow together. The subspecies with wavy-edged leaves is especially recognized for its garden qualities.
Does Cyclamen repandum have any special meaning or symbolism?
The sources do not mention any particular symbolic meaning or use in religious or national customs for this species.
Good reading and sources
- 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 repandum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cyclamen repandum", 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 2026-10-03.
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