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