cyclamen

cyclamen
/suy"kleuh meuhn, -men', sik"leuh-/, n.
any low-growing plant of the genus Cyclamen, belonging to the primrose family, having tuberous rootstocks and nodding white, purple, pink, or crimson flowers with reflexed petals.
[1540-50; < NL, ML < Gk kykláminos bulbous plant, akin to kýklos CYCLE]

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Any of about 15 species of flowering perennial herbaceous plants that make up the genus Cyclamen, in the primrose family (Primulaceae), native to the Middle East and southern and central Europe.

The florist's cyclamen (C. persicum), the best-known species, is an indoor plant cultivated for its attractive white to pink to deep red flowers. Long-stalked, rounded, or kidney-shaped leaves, often variously marked, grow from the base of the plant, which has no aboveground stem. Solitary flowers grow on stalks less than 12 in. (30 cm) tall.

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▪ plant genus
 genus of about 20 species of flowering perennial herbs of the myrsine family (Myrsinaceae) that are native to the Middle East and southern and central Europe. The florist's cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), the best-known species, is notable as an indoor plant cultivated for its attractive white to pink to deep red flowers. A number of other species of Cyclamen are grown outside.

      The plants grow from a tuber (a short underground stem) and have no stem above ground. Long-stalked, roundish, or kidney-shaped leaves, often variously marked, grow from the base. Solitary flowers grow on stalks less than 30 cm (12 inches) tall. After flowering, the flower stalk often twists into a spiral, so bringing the capsular fruit close to the ground.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cyclamen — Wild Cyclamen persicum Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae …   Wikipedia

  • Cyclamen — Cyclamen …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cyclamen — [ siklamɛn ] n. m. • XIVe; mot lat., du gr. kuklaminos ♦ Plante (primulacées) herbacée, vivace, à tubercules, à feuilles cordées, à fleurs roses, pourpres, blanches ou mauves très décoratives. Cyclamen sauvage des montagnes. Par ext. Parfum tiré… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • cyclamen — 1550s, from M.L. cyclamen, from L. cyclaminos, from Gk. kyklaminos, from kyklos circle (see CYCLE (Cf. cycle) (n.)). So called in reference to the bulbous shape of the root …   Etymology dictionary

  • cyclamen — [sī′klə mən, sik′ləmən] n. pl. cyclamens any of a genus (Cyclamen) of plants of the primrose family, having heart shaped leaves and white, pink, or red flowers with reflexed petals …   English World dictionary

  • Cyclamen — Cyc la*men (s?k l? m?n), n. [NL., fr. Gr. kykla minos, kyklami s.] (Bot.) A genus of plants of the Primrose family, having depressed rounded corms, and pretty nodding flowers with the petals so reflexed as to point upwards, whence it is called… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cyclămen — (C. L.), Pflanzengattung aus der Familie der Primulaceae Primuleae Androsaceae, 5. Kl. 1. Ordn. L., mit 5theiligem Kelche, kurzer, glockiger Blumenröbre, die in einen 5theiligen, zurückgeschlagenen Saum ausläuft; Kapsel 5klappig; Arten: C.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Cyclāmen — L. (Erdscheibe, Alpenveilchen), Gattung der Primulazeen, ausdauernde, stengellose Gewächse mit knolligem, flachkugeligem Wurzelstock, grundständigen, langgestielten, meist herz oder nierenförmigen Blättern, einzeln stehenden, langgestielten,… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Cyclamen — Cyclāmen L., Pflanzengattg. der Primulazeen. Die Knollen von C. europaeum L. (Alpenveilchen, Erdscheibe, Saubrot), Alpenpflanze, enthalten Zyklamīn, wirken brechenerregend und purgierend, sind aber geröstet genießbar. Diese und andere Arten, bes …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Cyclamen — Cyclamen, s. Primulaceae …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • cyclamen — Cyclamen, a genus of plants of the Primulaceae, the Primrose family, used as a fish poison in a paste or thrust among rocks, enabling fish to be scooped up …   Dictionary of ichthyology

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