New Varieties of the Common Cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) in Slovenia

Abstract

Common cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) is the only representative of its genus in Slovenia where it is a widespread species, growing from sea level to high mountainous areas. It thrives in all four major phytogeographic regions: Alpine, Dinaric, sub-Pannonian and sub-Mediterranean, in both transitional regions, pre-Alpine and pre-Dinaric, and it reacts quickly to weather conditions. It is found mostly in deciduous and mixed forests, at forest margins and in mountain meadows. In the highlands, it often grows on gravel and can also be found in fairly low-scree areas. As such, it is expected to shows great intraspecific diversity. Based on a collection of 6000 units of C. purpurascens specimens collected in different parts of Slovenia, we were able to determine different types of C. purpurascens and describe new varieties. All of the specimens were divided into four groups with respect to leaf pattern, which is the most durable distinguishing feature. The four dividing groups were silvery, semi-silvery, marbled and green. The most notable variety in the silvery group was C. purpurascens ‘Idrija’, while in the semi-silvery group, it was C. purpurascens ‘Nova Gorica’, in the marbled group, it was ‘C. purpurascens ‘Slivje’ and in the green group, it was C. purpurascens ‘Podsreda’.