PRIMULACEyE 



a peculiar principle called Cyclamine which makes them 

 useful as an emetic or purgative. It is also used by 

 rascals to poison streams. 



C. hederae folium* (C. neapolitanum) is to be found near 

 Villeneuve and Port-Valais. Distinguished by angular, 

 crenate leaves, which appear after the flowers and fall in 

 summer; flowers large, scentless, pale pink, preceding 

 the foliage. The rough, somewhat scaly tubers of this 

 variety are enormous and, being absolutely hardy, are 

 excellent for partly shaded places in gardens. There is a 

 beautiful variety with pure white flowers. Care must be 

 taken in planting to allow for the fact that the tuber often 

 produces roots from the upper surface, but, beyond 

 this, they should be as near the surface as possible to 

 permit of thorough ripening, and for the same reason the 

 dying leaves and other rotting substances should be 

 regularly removed. 



Both species enjoy good friable soil, broken limestone 

 and leafmould. Moisture, given ample drainage, is 

 desirable. The leaves need shelter from violent winds, 

 and indeed deserve it for their beauty. Both resent 

 disturbance. Seedlings are easily raised in pots, to be 

 transplanted when the first leaves are half developed and 

 put out in the succeeding summer. Established plants 

 increase readily from self sown seedlings. 



