The Cyprus Cyclamen: Cyclamen Cyprium

General national symbols. Indeed, some countries l the botanical identity of the plant should THE NATIONAL PLANT have specified a national bird and be clarified In this leaflet we introduce the national plant The endemic Cyprus cyclamen (Cyclamen /or animal. Each country it should not be specified as a national of Cyprus (the Cyprus cyclamen: Cyclamen l cyprium Kotschy), has been designated as follows different proce- cyprium), designated as such by decision of plant of another country the national plant of Cyprus. dures for the sele- the Council of Ministers of the Republic on 1 it should have ecological, aesthetic, his- ction of these l Nomenclature February 2006, following a proposal toric and scientific significance submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, symbols, depen- The generic name Cyclamen is cognate l the plant should be known to the public with the Greek Cyclos, “a circle”, and refers Natural Resources and Environment and a ding on the various and preferably be relatively widespread either to the round tuber or the rounded recommendation of the Department of cultures, the legislation The Cyprus cyclamen meets all the criteria leaves, or possibly the circular twisting of the Forests. and the expectations of the people in the respective country. set out above, since it is endemic to the fruiting peduncle. The species has been In some countries the procedure entails a island, known to the public and it is spread named cyprium, because its description The need to specify a national plant sample referendum or questionnaire, in out from the region of Akamas to the was based on specimens collected from Cyprus, where the plant is endemic. In reality there are no special reasons for a some other places it is carried out following Troodos mountain range and the Penta- country to specify a national plant or consultations and approval by the daktylos mountain range. It can also be national tree. It is rather a cultural and parliament or even with a presidential easily cultivated and it is a very attractive Description decree. This action is, therefore, mostly a plant. communication feature, since most coun- Cyprus cyclamen is a perennial, tuberous formality but it has at the same time an eco- tries in the world have specified such herb 7-15 cm high. It has simple, cordate, logical, cultural and often historic rather fleshy leaves, which have long significance. petioles and coarsely dentate margins. The lower surface of lamina has a characteristic Selection criteria rich purple or crimson-purple colour. The flowers are solitary, nodding, on long The selection of the national plant of Cyprus pedicels; the corolla is deeply 5-lobed, was carried out following consultations, white or pale pink, with a conspicuous M- both with other competent state services as shaped magenta blotch towards the base well as private researchers of the Cyprus of each lobe. The sweetly fragrant flowers flora. The main criteria and prerequisites appear in autumn, usually a little in taken into consideration for the selection of advance of the leaves. Soon after anthesis, the national plant were: the pedicels start coiling from apex downwards and a globose capsule l to be an indigenous plant and preferably an endemic plant of Cyprus appears on each pedicel. Habitat – Distribution central plain), from the Akamas peninsula It grows on shaded calcareous or igneous and the Troodos range to the Pentadaktylos rocks, steep hillsides and streambanks, range, and it is locally abundant. usually under trees and shrubs from 50 to 1 200 m above sea level. It flowers from Protection status www.moa.gov.cy/forest September to January, and exceptionally All Cyclamen species are listed in Appendix flowering can be prolonged to March. II of the Convention on International Trade Cyprus cyclamen is the only endemic of the of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and three species of the genus Cyclamen Flora (CITES). Moreover, the largest popu- (Cyclamen persicum, C. graecum), which lations of Cyclamen cyprium are found in are indigenous in Cyprus. It occurs in the state forest land and are thus well greater part of the island (except the protected. P r i n t e d o n r e c y c l e d p a p e r P.I.O. 42/2012 — 5.000 Published by the Press and Information Office Printed: Zavallis Litho Ltd.

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