The National Flower of Cyprus

The Cyprus cyclamen cyprium holds a special place in the heart of the island. It is the national flower of Cyprus. This delicate plant grows naturally in the wild, and its beauty represents the unique natural heritage of the island.

Appearance and Characteristics

This flower grows from a tuber, which is a fleshy underground stem that stores food. The leaves are heart-shaped with coarsely toothed edges. They show a beautiful mix of colours, with green variegated by silver blotches on the upper side and a rich purple colour beneath. The flowers bloom during autumn and winter. They have five upswept petals, which are white to pale pink. A distinctive magenta blotch appears near the nose of each flower.

Natural Habitat

The Cyprus cyclamen Cyprium grows naturally in the mountains of Cyprus. It thrives in woodland areas at elevations between 300 and 1,200 metres. Other cyclamen species also grow on the island, including Cyclamen persicum and Cyclamen Graecism . However, only Cyclamen Cyprium is endemic, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world.

Reproduction and Lifecycle

After pollination, the flower stems perform a remarkable action. They curl downwards, drawing the developing seed pod closer to the ground. The seeds mature inside round pods. When ready, the pods open by five flaps to release the seeds. This clever mechanism helps ensure the next generation of plants.

A Notable Hybrid

In 1969, Dutch horticulturalists created a hybrid using this species. They crossed Cyclamen cyprium with Cyclamen libanoticum. The resulting plant, Cyclamen × wellensiekii, produces pink flowers from November until March and is fertile.