''Cyclamen somalense'', also known as the Somalian cyclamen, is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

within the genus ''

Cyclamen ''Cyclamen'' ( or ) is a genus of 23 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. ''Cyclamen'' species are native to Europe and the Mediterranean Basin east to the Caucasus and Iran, with one species in Somalia. They grow ...

'' and family

Primulaceae The Primulaceae , commonly known as the primrose family (but not related to the Onagraceae, evening primrose family), are a family (biology), family of Herbaceous plant, herbaceous and woody flowering plants including some favourite garden plants ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...

, where it is significantly isolated from other ''Cyclamen'' species.Yesson, C., & Culham, A. (2006). A phyloclimatic study of Cyclamen. ''BMC evolutionary biology'', ''6'', 72. The species tolerates higher temperatures than most ''Cyclamen'' species, being substantially closer to the equator than any other species within the genus.

Description

''Cyclamen somalense'' is a

perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

, which emerges in the wild during the month of November, depending on the onset of the regions Northeast monsoon. Both the plants leaves and flowers emerge together, sprouting from the tuber.

Leaves

The leaves of ''Cyclamen somalense'' are heart or kidney-shaped, displaying a broad cordate shape with angled edges. They measure between 3 and 10 cm in length and 4 to 12 cm in width and are typically toothed. The upper side of the leaves is deep greyish green and exhibits a well-marked silvery hastate pattern, while the underside of the leaf appears purplish.

Flowers and fruit

The flowers of ''Cyclamen somalense'' typically emerge in the wild during November, depending on the onset of the northeast monsoon. They are pale purplish pink, with a darker pink area surrounding the mouth of the corolla. The corolla lobes of the flowers are reflexed, measuring approximately 15 - 17mm in length and 5 - 7mm in width. They are pointed and exhibit a unique 90° twist, distinguishing them from other cyclamen species. Unlike most cyclamen species, after fertilization occurs, the fruit is produced on a non-coiling pedicel. The flower stalk bends back toward the base of the plant instead of coiling.

Tuber

''Cyclamen somalense'' is a tuberous geophyte and like all species within the genus ''Cyclamen'' grow from tubers. The tuber can be spherical or elongated in shape, displaying two or three swellings. As the tuber matures it will often take the shape of the rock crevice in which it grows. Mature tubers will measure from 3 – 6 cm in diameter. The tuber possesses a rough texture, brown exterior and roots are produced from its base.

Distribution and habitat

''Cyclamen somalense'' is

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to the Al Miskat mountains of Northeast Somalia,

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

. It is a unique among ''Cyclamen'' species due to being isolated from other species within the genus. The species is part of a

relict A relict is a surviving remnant of a natural phenomenon. Biology A relict (or relic) is an organism that at an earlier time was abundant in a large area but now occurs at only one or a few small areas. Geology and geomorphology In geology, a r ...

Mediterranean flora, which has adapted to an environment slightly more severe than the average

Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...

. 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 Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...

rock.

Cultivation

''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 The University of Uppsala Botanical Garden (in Swedish ''Botaniska trädgården''), near Uppsala Castle, is the principal botanical garden belonging to Uppsala University. It was created on land donated to the university in 1787 by Sweden's King G ...

of Sweden, who possesses multiple plants, however they are genetic clones making seed production unlikely.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15221374 somalense Flora of Somalia