Cyclamen, a genus of Primulaceæ, including about eight highly variable species, mostly natives of southern Europe. Their thickened and compressed perennial stem half immersed in the ground, their heart-shaped leaves, peculiarly twisted and reflexed corolla-lobes, and spirally reverted fruit-stalks give the genus a peculiar and highly characteristic appearance. They are commonly cultivated on account of the beauty of their flowers; which mostly appear in spring. C. persicum is the one chiefly grown in our conservatories; C. europæum, not uncommon in gardens, flowers in autumn. The turnip-like stem, despite an extreme acridity which long gave it medicinal repute, is largely eaten by swine in southern Europe, especially Sicily; hence the English name of Sowbread.