364 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



with smaller teeth, and whitish mottled border, often purple beneath ; 

 appearing soon after flowers. Flowers pink or white with purplish spot 

 at base of the segments ; August and September. Height 4 to 8 inches. 

 Hardy. 



C. IBERICUM (Iberian). Tuber globose, with root-fibres in tuft from 

 base. Leaves roundish-oval, zoned with white, sometimes slightly 

 undulated, appearing with flowers in February and March. Flowers 

 bright red, with purple base to segments. Rather tender. 



C. PERSICUM (Persian). Tuber depressed, large, with root - fibres 

 from all parts of tl\e under-side. Leaves heart-shaped, variegated with 

 whiti', an<l with round. 'd tcftli : appearing with flowers in November to 

 April. I'^owcis lar-vi- tliaii tlioso of any other Cyclamen, white, with a 

 carrninr patrli ai l)asf ol' thr corolla-segments; inodorous. This is the 

 best-kntnvn and tinesL species, of which there are many varieties in 

 cultivation, with flowers of all tints between pure white and deep crimson; 

 some fragrant. Tender. Plate ITG. 



The hardy species of C}jcJuinrn do well out of doors in 

 )st parts of Britain, and good situations will be found for 

 them on rockeries, and in somewhat shady places among grass, if the soil 

 is thoroughly drained. For pot-culture use a compost of loam and leaf- 

 mould in equal portions, and add a little silver sand and thoroughly 

 rotte<l cow-manure. Good drainage is essential. The tuber must not 

 be buried : tlie wliole of the upper surface must be above ground, and it 

 is bt'st to liave the upper half or third thus exposed. The pots must be 

 stood near the glass in a light airy place (but shaded from bright sun- 

 shine), and freely watered; the leaves also ])eing freipiently syringed. 

 I'lopagation is effected by means of seed, which sliould be sown as soon 

 as fully ripe, and germinated in a frame, if of a hardy sort. The young 

 plants should be gi-own on in the same structure until large enough to 

 plant out. The seeds of C. j^ersicuni require a stove temperature to 

 induce them to germinate satisfactorily. When the seedlings are large 

 enough to handle, they should be pricked out into pans or boxes, and 

 again separately into small pots (three inches) when they have developed 

 three leaves. They should then be grown on a shelf in a warm house or 

 close to the glass in a heated frame until the summer, when they should 

 be shifted into five- or six-inch pots, for flowering. Green-fly, Thrips, and 

 Red Spider should be constantly looked for, as they soon spoil the look 

 of the plant by causing the leaves to curl. 

 Description of One of the numerous forms of Cyclamen persicum, 



Plate 176. about one-third less than the natural stature. Fig. 1 is a 

 section through a flower of the normal tints. 



