cyclamen

[prettygoodword]

cyclamen (SAI-kluh-muhn, SIK-luh-men) - n., any of two dozen species of plants (genus Cyclamen) with showy, variously colored flowers with reflexed petals and tuberous rootstocks, especially C. persicum widely cultivated as a houseplant.


Native to Europe, the Middle East, and north Africa -- so circum-Mediterranean. The name is (via Latin) from Greek kyklámīnos, where it literally meant bulbous plant, probably related to kýklos, cycle/circle/wheel from its bulbous roots. Some Cyclamen persicum:


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger]

I haven't been able to clearly establish whether those are toxic to cats or whether they are toxic to cats who dig up the bulb and eat it. They are so cheering in winter!