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Cyclamen somalense, also known as the Somalian cyclamen, is a species of flowering plant within the genus Cyclamen and family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Somalia, where it is significantly isolated from other Cyclamen species. The species tolerates higher temperatures than most Cyclamen species, being substantially closer to the equator than any other species within the genus.
Cyclamen somalense is currently the only species within the genus that isn't within general cultivation. The only known plants in cultivation belong to the University of Uppsala Botanical Garden of Sweden, who possesses multiple plants, however they are genetic clones making seed production unlikely.
Cyclamen somalense is native to the Al Miskat mountains of Northeast Somalia, Africa. It is a unique among Cyclamen species due to being isolated from other species within the genus. The species is part of a relict Mediterranean flora, which has adapted to an environment slightly more severe than the average Mediterranean climate. The region experiences hot and dry summers, as well as warm winters with lower than average rainfall. The plant is typically found growing at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 1600 meters above sea level. The species has a preference for north-facing escarpments and cliff faces, where it grows within water worn pockets or crevices within the limestone rock.
African Cyclamen · Alpine Cyclamen · Balearic cyclamen · Cyclamen cilicium · Cyclamen colchicum · Eastern sowbread · Cretan Sowbread · Cyprus Cyclamen · Cyclamen elegans · Greek Cyclamen · Sowbread · Cyclamen intaminatum
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Cyclamen somalense by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
