Spring Sowbread

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spring Sowbread

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyclamen europaeum subsp. repandum
• Cyclaminus repanda

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Cyclamen repandum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Ericales. Finally, it is classified under the family Primulaceae within the genus Cyclamen.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found growing in Switzerland. Its range extends into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits parts of France and the island of Corse. Additionally, the plant is also distributed throughout the Mediterranean region in Sardegna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cyclamen repandum is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental periods by storing nutrients and moisture within specialized underground structures, specifically a tuber. This physiological adaptation classifies it more broadly as a cryptophyte, as its vital regenerative parts remain hidden below the soil surface, protecting them from external stressors such as temperature fluctuations or herbivory.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyclamen repandum is characterized by its growth form as a herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, nor does it exhibit epiphytic tendencies, instead establishing itself firmly in the soil. The plant is non-woody in its structural composition and operates as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior toward other vegetation.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Cyclamen repandum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antinociceptive.

Analgesic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiinflammatory

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antinociceptive

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR