Seasonal Wild Flowers

Sowbread

Cyclamen hederifolium

Primulaceae

August to November

It is found mainly in the South and is scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Sowbread

It is a neophyte which is widely planted in shady areas of gardens

and parks, and has been a naturalised escape in the UK since

the late 1590s.

It grows in woodland, scrubland and hedgerows.

Sowbread is a cormous, perennial herb growing up to 10cm.

The light pink flowers (up to 2.5cm) appear before the leaves

and are typically cyclamous in shape.

Flowers are occasionally white.

Leaves are heart-shaped, finely toothed and dark green with a

darker centre. They may be purple below.

Animal-looking, brown corms with spring-like curls can be found

on the soil suface in early summer.

The seeds are spread by ants.

Sowbread colony

Single flower

Leaf with typical markings

Uncommon white form