Cyclamen hederifolium, the Naples cyclamen

Of Naples, you're probably familiar with the pizza, the view of Vesuvius and Maradona. But the city also has its own variety of cyclamen. The Naples cyclamen, in Latin Cyclamen hederifolium, actually flourishes over a much wider area. It can be found throughout southern Europe, as well as in Turkey.

Cyclamen hederifolium is a flowering perennial with a low, spreading habit. It doesn't grow more than ten centimetres high, but can spread over a width of 20 centimetres.

The Naples cyclamen has a tuberous root called a corm. Round, flattened and brown, it serves as a reserve when the plant goes dormant.

Flowers appear before the foliage, as early as August. Flowering lasts until the first frosts. The flowers measure no more than a centimetre and are made up of five tepals, turned backwards. Each has two auricles at its base. Flowers are usually pink, with a darker throat. White varieties are also available White Naples Cyclamen).

Leaves are dark green with white mottling on the upper side and purplish-red on the underside. Their shape varies, but is always reminiscent of ivy. The triangular or sagittate blades have a longer central lobe. Coriaceous, they measure between eight and twelve centimetres in length.

After flowering, the flower stalks curl up. This mechanism enables Cyclamen hederifolium to deposit the fruit, a brown capsule born at the end of the stem, in the ground and resow itself.

Naples Cyclamen is toxic. Its tuberous root contains a substance similar to curare. If ingested, it causes digestive, respiratory and muscular disorders. Make sure your pets don't taste it, and wash your hands after handling the plant.