Cyclamen africanum is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae.[2] It is referred to by the common name African cyclamen and is a perennial growing from a tuber, native to northern Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.[1] It is similar to Cyclamen hederifolium, but not frost-hardy.

Cyclamen africanum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Cyclamen
Subgenus: C. subg. Cyclamen
Species:
C. africanum
Binomial name
Cyclamen africanum
Synonyms[1]

Cyclamen algeriense Jord.
Cyclamen ambiguum O.Schwarz
Cyclamen commutatum O.Schwarz & Lepper
Cyclamen hederifolium subsp. africanum (Boiss. & Reut.) Ietsw.
Cyclamen numidicum Glasau
Cyclamen pachybolbum Jord.
Cyclamen saldense Pomel
Cyclamen subrotundum Jord.
Cyclamen venustum Jord.

Description

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tuber

The tuber produces roots from the top, sides, and bottom, unlike Cyclamen hederifolium, which produces roots from the top and sides, but not the bottom.

Both the leaves and flowers are similar to Cyclamen hederifolium, but are larger on average.

Leaf and flower stalks extend straight up from the tuber; in Cyclamen hederifolium the leaf stalks extend outwards before bending up, forming an "elbow".

Cyclamen africanum crosses easily with Cyclamen hederifolium. Plants sold by nurseries are often hybrids between the two species (Cyclamen ×hildebrandii O. Schwarz). This robust hybrid is more hardy than Cyclamen africanum and can be planted outside in a sheltered place.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut". World Flora Online. The World Flora Online Consortium. n.d. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
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